The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) has suspended its five-day warning strike. This decision came after a marathon meeting between the association and the hospital management, during which significant commitments were made to resolve the doctors’ grievances.
Dr. Ashiru Mikail, Vice-President of NARD, informed the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Zaria that the strike was called off on Monday evening, and resident doctors resumed work at 8 am on Tuesday.
Key Outcomes of the Meeting
- Commitment to Address Demands: The ABUTH management has shown a serious commitment to addressing the demands of the resident doctors. One of the primary issues was the practice of percentage salary payments, which the management has pledged to cease.
- Initiatives to Prevent Future Disputes: The meeting resulted in the development of robust initiatives aimed at curtailing further industrial disharmony between the association and ABUTH management.
Background of the Strike
NARD embarked on the five-day warning strike on July 22 to protest various issues, including:
- Percentage Salary Payments: Resident doctors on the GIFMIS platform were receiving salaries as a percentage of the full amount, which was one of the main points of contention.
- Nonpayment of Accoutrement Allowance: The strike also highlighted the nonpayment of accoutrement allowances among other grievances.
The suspension of the strike follows ABUTH management’s commitment to resolving these issues, indicating a move towards improved working conditions for resident doctors and a more harmonious relationship between the staff and the hospital