President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to immediately find ways to end the ongoing strike by resident doctors.
Dr Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Health, revealed in Abuja on Monday, while addressing journalists.
He said Tinubu’s directive followed mounting public concern over the nationwide disruption of healthcare services.
Salako apologised to Nigerians affected by the strike and assured that the Federal Government is working tirelessly to restore normalcy in hospitals.
“Mr President has expressly directed that we must ensure resident doctors resume work without delay,” the minister stated.
According to him, the government has been in continuous dialogue with leaders of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, regarding 19 outstanding issues raised by the union.
He stated that the dispute originated from a circular issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, NSIWC, which created division among healthcare professionals.
It was gathered that the circular was later withdrawn to pave the way for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, CBA, that includes the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, and the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU.
