Resident doctors

By Sabiu Abdullahi  

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has called off its seven-day warning strike, which started on August 26, following a virtual meeting of its national executive council (NEC) on August 30. 

The strike was prompted by the continued detention of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola-Olawale, a member of the association who was abducted on December 27, 2023, in Kaduna. 

In a statement, NARD said it had suspended the strike to allow for continued engagement with stakeholders and monitoring of developments in Dr. Popoola-Olawale’s case.

The association has vowed to reconvene in three weeks to reassess the situation. 

NARD expressed gratitude for the increased awareness and government intervention generated by media coverage of Dr. Popoola-Olawale’s abduction.

Her husband, Squadron Leader Nurudeen Popoola, was released on March 7, 2024, but Dr. Popoola-Olawale remains in captivity. 

Work is expected to resume at all healthcare centers nationwide on September 2, 2024, at 8:00 am.

By Muhammadu Sabiu 

In a significant move aimed at improving healthcare services in Kaduna State, His Excellency Senator Uba Sani, the Governor of Kaduna State, has approved the immediate implementation of the 2014 Consolidated Medical Salary Scale (CONMESS) for resident doctors working under the Kaduna State Ministry of Health.  

This decision was made during a media chat held on Sunday, September 3rd, 2023, as part of the governor’s 100 days in office celebration. 

The announcement comes after extensive negotiations with striking doctors, which revealed that resident doctors in the Ministry of Health were receiving only 75% of the 2014 CONMESS, while their counterparts at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital enjoyed 100% of the CONMESS. 

Starting in September 2023, this approval ensures that resident doctors in the Ministry of Health will now be on par with their peers at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, potentially boosting productivity and attracting more medical professionals to the state. 

Governor Uba Sani also disclosed during the live media chat, broadcast across major radio stations in Kaduna, that the recruitment of 89 medical doctors was authorised to address the staffing gap identified in 2017.

This initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to enhancing doctors’ morale and improving access to quality healthcare for Kaduna residents. 

Furthermore, Governor Sani emphasised the administration’s dedication to primary healthcare, noting the recent distribution of advanced medical equipment to upgraded primary health centres, aimed at ensuring every citizen or resident has access to primary healthcare within a kilometre of their residence.