The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) says it met with the federal government on Monday and will continue the meeting on Tuesday to resolve the indefinite strike embarked upon by its members.
Resident doctors nationwide commenced the strike on November 1, citing unmet demands, including improved welfare, better working conditions, and the implementation of agreements previously reached with government authorities.
Speaking about the meetings, the president of the Association at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Dr. Bello Aminu Bello, said the union is prepared to take a firm position based on the outcome of the discussions.
“We have mobilised our members, and we are going into the meeting with clear expectations,” he said.
“The association will take a stand at the end of the engagement with the federal government.”
Meanwhile, the management of the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital has resorted to deploying consultants to provide skeletal services due to the absence of resident doctors.
Confirming the development, the hospital’s spokesperson, Hauwa Inuwa Dutse, said the measure is aimed at ensuring that patients with urgent medical needs are not neglected.
“We have engaged our consultants to attend to patients who need medical attention,” she said.
“This is to minimise the impact of the strike as we hope for a speedy resolution.”
Healthcare services remain limited at several tertiary health institutions amid the strike.
