THE National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD) has rejected the Memorandum of Terms of settlement reached with the Federal Government shortly before the Sallah Holiday on Thursday; and directed doctors to begin an indefinite nationwide strike on Monday.
Rising from its extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting which was held on Sunday night till 3 am on Monday, NARD rejected the offer from the government as contained in the memorandum, and resolved to commence a national total and indefinite strike with effect from 8.00am Monday (yesterday).
To this end, the association has written to all Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors intimating them with the commencement of the strikes.
The memo, titled “Notice of Strike,” was signed by the NARD President, Dr Onyebueze John and the Secretary General, Dr Aneke Emmanuel.
The memo with reference NARD/2016-2017/04092017/3734 read: “Rising from our NEC meeting, which started by 7pmyesterday and ended 3am today, NARD has resolved to reject the promissory offer from government, and proceed on total and indefinite strike action until all items in her demand list for strike action are resolved by government.”
Also speaking on the development, the NARD president said at the end of the meeting held at Park View Hotels, Abuja, the association had rejected the Memorandum of Terms of settlement from government on the items of her demand for strike action.
Dr Onyebueze stated that NARD resolved to proceed on the proposed National total and indefinite strike with effect from 8.00am Monday 4th September 2017.
After a conciliation meeting with stakeholders, terms of settlement was reached after which NARD leadership agreed to meet in an Emergency Session before Monday, September 4, 2017, for the presentation of the Memorandum to her National Executive Council with a view to averting the scheduled strike.
This conciliatory meeting was adjourned for a month, to reconvene on Thursday, November 2, 2017.