The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) came under fire as the Federal Government expressed its displeasure over the ongoing strike by the doctors, despite meeting six out if its demands and the remaining two at advanced stages of implementation. This came as the Association and government reached an Understanding that NARD would consult with her Executive Council within the next 24hrs with a view to calling off the strike by today September 10, with assurances no doctor would be victimised for any activity connected with or for participating in the industrial action. Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige who did not mince words in condemning the actions of the Association, revealed that amongst all the health professionals, NARD has benefitted the most from government. While asking the doctors not to use strike to intimidate government, he said the present government has been fair to the health sector unlike previous administrations, adding that N8.9 billion has been approved for the completion for payment of COVID-19 hazard allowance currently being processed According to him, a meeting with labour ministers in Africa had revealed that the rate at which the Nigerian government pay doctors was the highest
