This decision was reached during a virtual meeting held on Friday night. Dr. Orji Emeka Innocent, the President of NARD, confirmed the news and stated that the members of the association would be resuming their duties at 8 am on Saturday.
Dr. Innocent explained that the decision to suspend the strike was influenced by the steps taken by the federal government to address the demands put forward by the association.
Earlier in the week, representatives of NARD had engaged in discussions with the presidency and the Senate to address the pressing issues.
One of the key demands that NARD had made was the issuance of a circular regarding one-for-one replacement, a move that is anticipated to alleviate the severe shortage of manpower in the health sector.
While progress has been noted, it was estimated that the finalisation of this process might take around two more weeks.
Dr. Innocent elaborated that after thorough deliberations within the association, it was decided that waiting for an additional two weeks for the circular might not be necessary.
Given the steps taken by the government to address certain concerns, NARD members have chosen to suspend the strike for the time being. They plan to review the progress in two weeks' time.
The government has also initiated actions to address salary, hazard, and Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) arrears that are owed to some members of NARD.
Dr. Innocent expressed a cautious optimism, stating that the association has decided to place trust in the government's commitment to addressing these issues.
The nationwide strike, which had commenced on July 26, was prompted by the federal government's failure to meet the demands set forth by NARD.
Among the main demands were the immediate payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), the release of the circular on one-for-one replacement, payment of skipping arrears, and a revision of CONMESS to restore it to its 2014 value.
With the suspension of the strike, there is a sense of hopeful anticipation that the government's promises will be upheld, and the healthcare sector can gradually return to normalcy.
The decisions made by NARD reflect a balanced consideration of the ongoing challenges and the need to prioritise the well-being of both medical professionals and patients across the nation.