The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Kogi State Specialist Hospital (KSSH) Lokoja, has suspended it’s ongoing strike action to give room for engagement and negotiation with the State Government.
It would be recalled that the association on Friday July 27, 2023 joined the ongoing nationwide strike embarked upon by the National Association of Residents Doctors (NARD) to press home our demands which borders on doctors welfare for effective service delivery.
The Association announced the suspension in a Communique issued at the end of its Emergency Executive Council meeting held on Saturday in Lokoja.
The communique which was signed by ARD KSSH’s President and Secretary General, Dr Ameh Friday, and Dr Peter Samuel, respectively, and made available to journalists on Saturday in Lokoja.
According to the communique, the Congress thankfully observed the commitment of the Kogi State Government to address the Issues raised by the association.
It also observed with thanks the commitment of Kogi State Governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello to have a special meeting with the association Of Resident Doctors Kogi State Specialist Hospital (KSSH) Lokoja.
“Due to the observations made, the Congress agreed to temporarily suspend the ongoing strike on Monday, 31st July, 2023, for a period of one week to allow for further negotiation with the Kogi State Government.
“However, failure to satisfactorily address our demands, the Association of Resident Doctors, Kogi State Specialist Hospital (KSSH) Lokoja will have no option, than to go back to strike,” the Communiqué stated.
According to the Communiqué, the association’s key demands Include: “Upward Review of Conmess 2014 to Conmess 2023, and approval of Medical Residency Training Find(MRTF 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023).
“Review of Hazard Allowance as released by the National Salary, Income and Wages Commission, 22nd December,2021, and non implementation of Annual Increments, Cash backing of Promotion and Payment of Arrears of both Annual Increments and Promotion.
“Failure to Implement 6 Months Covid-19 Inducement Allowance which is 35% of Basic as was implemented for all States in the North Central during Covid-19 Lockdown”.
