Strike: Nigerian Govt to release N11.995bn arrears to doctors, others in 72 hours

The Federal Government says it will release about N11.995 billion within 72 hours for the payment of outstanding arrears, including accoutrement allowance, to doctors and other health workers across the country.

Deputy Director and Head, Information and Public Relations of the the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Alaba Balogun, made this disclosure in a statement on Saturday.

The Ministry said that the move is part of ongoing efforts to resolve welfare concerns raised by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, and other unions and to reaffirm the Federal Government’s commitment to industrial peace and reform in the health sector.

According to statement, the assurance was reiterated during a high-level meeting led by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, between the top management of the ministry and the leadership of NARD, following the association’s recent agitations over welfare and professional concerns.

This is coming after a nationwide strike that began on Saturday, involving about 11,000 resident doctors across 91 healthcare facilities.

Recall that the striking doctors are protesting unpaid arrears, delays in allowances, and other welfare-related issues despite earlier assurances from the government.

The President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, Dr Muhammad Suleiman, had on Monday said the Federal Government owes doctors and other health workers across the country an estimated N38 billion in accumulated allowances.

Meanwhile, the statement noted that the government remains committed to ensuring that the welfare, motivation, and stability of the nation’s health workforce serve as the foundation of all health policies and programmes.