The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital chapter, has suspended its six-day warning strike.
Dr. Josiah Yakubu, the chapter president, confirmed the development on Monday in Kaduna during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He said the decision followed an emergency congress held on Saturday and multiple interventions by both the national and state leadership of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA).
According to Yakubu, normal duties will resume on Tuesday, with consultants resuming work by 8:00 a.m. and resident doctors by 10:00 a.m.
Yakubu noted that since the strike began, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) had intervened to mediate on behalf of the Kaduna State Government. This marked a shift from the earlier situation in which some doctors received termination and warning letters.
“We have come to understand that those actions were taken unilaterally by the hospital management,” Yakubu stated.
Following a two-hour meeting convened by the SSG, parties identified key issues and proposed practical solutions. The state government acknowledged the doctors’ concerns, particularly regarding manpower shortages and remuneration.
Yakubu said the SSG requested two months to begin addressing the issues, which include the transition from the 2014 to 2024 Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS). A cost implication report has been submitted for the Governor’s consideration.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was jointly signed by representatives of the SSG, NMA, and various resident doctor associations to formalize the agreement. The congress of ARD Kaduna and ARD Barau Dikko will further appraise the outcome.
The NARD president assured that both NMA and NARD leadership will closely monitor the implementation of all resolutions.
