Pressures mounted on the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Wednesday after the Federal Government expessed dissatisfaction over the ongoing strike by resident doctors despite meeting six out of its demands and the remaining two advanced stages of implementation.
This occured after the Association and government reached an understanding that NARD would consult with her executive council within the next 24 hours with a view to calling off the strike by today with assurances no doctor would be victimised for any activity connected with or for participating in the industrial action.
Condemning the actions of the apologetic association, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige revealed that amongst all the health professionals, NARD has benefitted the most from government.
While asking the doctors not to use strike to intimidate government, Ngige said the present government has been fair to the health sector unlike previous administrations.
The Labour minister added that N8.9 billion has been approved to complete payment of COVID-19 hazard allowance currently being processed.
According to him, a meeting with labour ministers in Africa had revealed that the rate at which the Nigerian government pays doctors was the highest governments pay in Africa.