Nigerian doctors under the aegis of the National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, have suspended their industrial action, despite not reaching a consensus with the Federal Government.
Recall that the doctors had on Wednesday embarked on an indefinite strike, following the Federal Government’s inability to pay their salaries, non-payment of hazard allowance and a dearth of Personal Protective Equipment, PPE, in hospitals, among several other reasons.
Confirming the development to newsmen Thursday evening, NARD President, Aliyu Sokomba, said their meeting would on Friday.
This is coming as President Muhammadu Buhari had on Thursday approved additional N8.9bn as hazard allowances for the health workers.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force PTF on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, announced this during the task force’s media briefing in Abuja.
He said: “I am pleased to announce that Mr. President has graciously approved additional N8.9bn for COVID-19 hazard allowance to all medical health workers.
“In addition, the procurement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for hospitals and isolation centres will be given priority,” Mr Mustapha had said.
