From Kemi Yesufu, Abuja
THE National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD) will meet in Abuja today to take a decision over its planned nationwide strike.
NARD had, penultimate Monday, given the Federal Government a 21- day notice to meet its demands or it embarks on an indefinite strike.
President of the association, Dr. Muhammad Askira, had told newsmen that the ultimatum took effect from April 4.
However, a reliable source in the NARD executive disclosed to Daily Sun that the association will meet in Abuja to discuss the ultimatum issued the Federal Government and President Muhammadu Buhari’s plea that the association should shelve its planned strike.
The source, who spoke exclusively to Daily Sun said: “We (NARD) have not made any response to the president’s request because we will be meeting on Monday in Abuja. “It is after our meeting that we will call for a press briefing to make our position known.
The press briefing might not take place the day of our meeting, it could take place on Tuesday or even Wednesday,” he disclosed.
Aside from President Buhari’s call for the doctors not to go on strike, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, also assured that the Federal Government will do all its best to prevent the strike which leaves thousands of patients stranded in government hospitals.
Adewole spoke at the commemoration of the 2016 World Health Day.
“I am assuring Nigerians that there will be no strike. We have received the ultimatum, we have talked and we will meet again on Monday,” he said.
