NARD Strike: Why Resident Doctors refuse fresh MoU with Federal Government

*Dr. Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, President of NARD, declines his assent to a new Memorandum of Understanding with the government over an undisclosed clause in the document

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

Following a six-hour meeting with the Federal Government of Nigeria Saturday, August 21, 2021, in Abuja, FCT, the leadership of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has refused endorse a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) initially brokered by the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA).

ConsumerConnect reports the NMA had made the peace deal with a view to convincing the resident doctors to suspend their three-week industrial action, which has crippled medical services, especially in government hospitals across the country.

NARD leadership  with in a meeting with Sen. (Dr.) Chris Ngige in Abuja   

Dr. Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, President of NARD, declined his assent owing to an undisclosed clause in the document, report said.

According to Okhuaihesuyi, NARD’s leadership has had to consult with members of the Association before he could append his signature to the MoU.

Sen. (Dr.) Chris Ngige, Honourable Minister for Labour and Employment, in his remarks after the meeting, however, told reporters that all other unions in the negotiation, including NMA, Medical and Dental Consultants of Nigeria signed the new agreement, having agreed on all the issues raised.

Dr. Nigige also clarified that the meeting did not discuss the issues of ‘no work, no pay,’ but said all parties at the meeting agreed to an out-of-court settlement.

Recall the Federal Government recently took the striking physicians to court, praying the National Industrial Court to mandate the medical doctors to return to work.

The hearing on the case was adjourned to September 15, 2021.

The MARD members began a national strike August 2, citing unpaid benefits and other issues related to their wellbeing.