Resident doctors at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna, have suspended their six-day warning strike and will return to work on Tuesday, June 10.
This was confirmed by the President of the hospital’s chapter of the National Association of Resident Doctors, Dr. Josiah Yakubu, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Kaduna.
Dr. Yakubu said the decision to end the strike came after an emergency congress held on Saturday, as well as several meetings and interventions by both the national and state branches of the Nigerian Medical Association.
He stated that the hospital’s doctors will resume duties in two groups—one starting at 8:00 a.m. and the other by 10:00 a.m.
According to him, the Secretary to the Kaduna State Government (SSG) got involved to mediate on behalf of the state. This was a change from earlier meetings, during which some doctors were given termination and warning letters.
“Unlike our first meeting, where some of our members were issued letters of termination or given warning letters, this time, we saw a different approach,” he said.
Dr. Yakubu explained that it became clear the previous actions were taken by the hospital management alone, without input from the state government.
A key meeting between the doctors and the NMA, which lasted about two hours, helped all parties better understand the problems and look for solutions.
“They highlighted ways to resolve the matter peacefully, in a way that doctors won’t be cheated and healthcare in Kaduna State won’t suffer,” he said.
He further explained that the state government had accepted the doctors’ complaints and promised to take action.
“The SSG asked for two months to work on our concerns, including manpower issues and doctor pay,” Yakubu revealed.
He said the cost of moving from the old salary structure (CONMESS 2014) to the new one (CONMESS 2024) had already been prepared and submitted to the SSG for the governor’s consideration.
“A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was drafted and signed by the SSG, the NMA Kaduna Chairman, and leaders of NARD and ARD from both the state and Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital,” he said.
The MoU is expected to be presented to the congresses of ARD Kaduna and ARD BDTH for final review and approval.
Dr. Yakubu added that both NMA and NARD leadership would keep a close watch on the process to ensure all demands are met as promised.
