ABUJA — The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has refused to assent to a new memorandum of understanding brokered by the Nigeria Medical Association to bring an end to the three weeks old strike that has crippled medical activities in government hospitals across the country.
The President of the doctors’ union, Uyilawa Okhuaiesuyi, did not mention the clause in the MoU that informed him to decline it.
According to him, the leadership of NARD has to consult with members of the association before he appends his signature.
Speaking to journalists after the over six hours closed-door meeting, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, said all the unions in the negotiation, including the Nigeria Medical Association and the Medical and Dental Dental Consultants of Nigeria, signed the new agreement, has agreed on all the issues raised.
Meanwhile, the minister also clarified that the meeting did not discuss the issues of ‘no work, no pay,’ but said all parties at the meeting agreed to an out-of-court settlement.
The Federal Government had taken the striking doctors to court last week, as it asked the National Industrial Court to mandate the doctors to return to work.
The hearing on the case was adjourned to September 15.
The doctors had embarked on a strike on August 2, citing unpaid benefits and other issues.
While the industrial action lingered, the Federal Government threatened to enforce a ‘no work, no pay’ policy.
