Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, has made a heartfelt plea to the resident doctors, urging them to reconsider their decision to proceed with a nationwide strike.
During a meeting at the National Assembly complex in Abuja with the National Association of Resident Doctors, Abbas expressed his concern over the potential strike.
He highlighted that the government’s limited revenues may not fully meet all the association’s demands but emphasized the need to find a middle ground that satisfies both parties without disregarding the 2023 Memorandum of Understanding.
The resident doctors have presented various demands, including the recruitment of clinical staff in hospitals, infrastructural development, allocating at least 15% of budgetary provisions to health, prompt payment of the 2023 medical residency training fund, and an immediate increment in the consolidated medical salary structure by 200% of doctors’ gross salary.
While acknowledging the doctors’ faith in the government’s ability to address the issues, Abbas urged them to exercise patience while an amicable resolution is sought.
He highlighted that the new administration is still in the process of settling down, with ministers yet to assume office.
In the interest of finding a resolution, Abbas requested the resident doctors to suspend their impending industrial action to allow for further intervention and discussions.
Following his speech, the meeting proceeded behind closed doors to delve further into the matter.