Members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) may call off their two-week old strike tomorrow, Wednesday.
National President of the association, Dr Emeka Innocent Orji, said this shortly after a closed-door meeting with President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and other principal officers of the Red Chamber of the National Assembly.
He said, with the assurance given by Senator Akpabio, a decision will soon be taken in respect of the ongoing strike by the resident doctors.
Orji also announced that the planned national protest by the doctors has been cancelled.
“We had a very fruitful meeting with the Senate, led by the President of the Senate.
“From our discussions with them, we are very hopeful that when we table our discussions today before the NEC, something positive would come out.
“From our interaction with the President of the Senate and the practical demonstration he did before us today, we are very confident that there would be light at the end of the tunnel in the next 24 hours.
“Because of the intervention of the President of the Senate, who is the number three citizen and the assurance he has given us, our planned national protest has been cancelled.
“The decision on the ongoing strike would be taken as soon we meet,” the NARD National President said.
Also speaking, Senator Akpabio thanked the resident doctors for honouring the Senate by calling off their planned national protest and also working towards calling off the strike.
“I thank you on behalf of the Senate for honouring us with your decision, not only to cancel the planned public protest, but to also call off the strike in the interest of the suffering masses.
“Your demands are well noted and let me assure you that as soon as a minister in charge of Health is appointed, the Senate will work with him or her to expeditiously adress all your grievances.
“The President Bola Tinubu-led administration is doctors’ friendly and that explains the large number of medical practitioners he has appointed into his cabinet.
“Strike by medical practitioners should not be allowed even for a day because of the impacts it creates in the polity.
“That is why the Senate is determined to ensure, through interactions and consultation with relevant offices, an amicable settlement of the impasse is reached,” Akpabio said.
