The discussion between the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio and the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) might see doctors end their two-week strike.
The doctors, buoyed by the intervention and promises from the Senate’s top leader, have chosen to call off their planned national protest.
A final decision regarding the ongoing strike is pending.
The National President of NARD, Emeka Innocent Orji, while addressing newsmen after the closed-door meeting with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and other Principal Officers of the Senate, said, “We had a very fruitful meeting with the Senate led by the President of the Senate and from our discussions with them, we are very hopeful that when we table our discussions today before the NEC, something positive would come out.
“From our interaction with the President of the Senate and the practical demonstration he did before us today, we are very confident that there will be light at the end of the tunnel in the next 24 hours.
“Because of the intervention of the President of the Senate, who is the number three citizen and the assurance he has given us, our planned national protest has been cancelled while the decision on the ongoing strike would be taken as soon we meet, he assured.”
The Senate President, Senator Akpabio appreciated the medical doctors for honouring the Senate by calling off their planned national protest and also working towards calling off the strike.
He said, “I thank you on behalf of the Senate for honouring us with your decision not only to cancel the planned public protest but to also call off the strike in the interest of the suffering masses.
“Your demands are well noted and let me assure you that as soon as a Minister in charge of Health is appointed, the Senate will work with him or her to expeditiously address all your grievances. The President Bola Tinubu-led administration is Doctors friendly and that explains the large number of medical practitioners he has appointed to his cabinet.
“Strike by medical practitioners should not be allowed even for a day because of the impacts it creates in the polity and that is why the Senate is determined to ensure through interactions and consultation with relevant offices, the amicable settlement of the impasse is reached.”
