Resident Doctors Call Off One-Week Strike In Rivers

The National Association of Resident Doctors at the Rivers State
University Teaching Hospital has called off its one-week old
strike.

The chairman of NARD at the RSUTH, Dr. George Ela, disclosed
this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday.

Ela said that the decision followed “a robust and fruitful
engagement” with the state government.

The statement reads, “It is a week now since the Association of
Resident Doctors, Rivers State University Teaching Hospital,
proceeded on a total and indefinite strike action following a
resolution taken at its Extraordinary General Meeting.

“However, it has been seven days of intensive, robust and
fruitful engagement with the Rivers State Government through the
office of the Secretary to the Government.

“As a product of these engagements, we are happy to inform
Rivers people that the legislative processes that will build up to
an accelerated hearing and ultimate domestication of the Medical
Residency Training Act (MRTA) 2017 has commenced in earnest through
the office of the Chairman, House Committee on Health of the Rivers
State House of Assembly.

“Again, the Rivers State Government has demonstrated commitment
to addressing the nagging welfare needs of the Resident doctors
such as implementation of the wage-adjusted CONMESS 2019, payment
of the COVID-19 inducement hazard allowance and employment of more
Resident doctors, among others.

“To reciprocate government gesture and goodwill and to
ameliorate the suffering and pains of Rivers people, therefore,
Congress has resolved that our members should return to the clinics
from 08:00am on Monday 9, August, 2021.”

He lauded Governor Nyesom Wike-led government for this generous
and gracious move and thanked Rivers people for standing by them
during teh strike.

The National Association of Resident Doctors at the Rivers State
University Teaching Hospital has called off its one-week old
strike.

The chairman of NARD at the RSUTH, Dr. George Ela, disclosed
this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday.

Ela said that the decision followed “a robust and fruitful
engagement” with the state government.

The statement reads, “It is a week now since the Association of
Resident Doctors, Rivers State University Teaching Hospital,
proceeded on a total and indefinite strike action following a
resolution taken at its Extraordinary General Meeting.

“However, it has been seven days of intensive, robust and
fruitful engagement with the Rivers State Government through the
office of the Secretary to the Government.

“As a product of these engagements, we are happy to inform
Rivers people that the legislative processes that will build up to
an accelerated hearing and ultimate domestication of the Medical
Residency Training Act (MRTA) 2017 has commenced in earnest through
the office of the Chairman, House Committee on Health of the Rivers
State House of Assembly.

“Again, the Rivers State Government has demonstrated commitment
to addressing the nagging welfare needs of the Resident doctors
such as implementation of the wage-adjusted CONMESS 2019, payment
of the COVID-19 inducement hazard allowance and employment of more
Resident doctors, among others.

“To reciprocate government gesture and goodwill and to
ameliorate the suffering and pains of Rivers people, therefore,
Congress has resolved that our members should return to the clinics
from 08:00am on Monday 9, August, 2021.”

He lauded Governor Nyesom Wike-led government for this generous
and gracious move and thanked Rivers people for standing by them
during teh strike.