The federal government said it has begun the disbursement of April and May hazard and inducement allowances to healthcare workers.
Minister for Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, said this in Abuja at the end of a meeting between the federal government and members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
He said the meeting ended on a positive note as the government side had shown evidence to the National Association of Resident Doctors of the payment of the hazard and inducement allowances.
The National Association of Resident Doctors had on Monday embarked on a nationwide strike after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum following delay by the federal government in meeting its demands on the payment of hazard allowances and other matters.
“We have paid those allowances since last night and it was directly paid into the account of recipients. So, we are hopeful that between the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) office and the Central Bank, before the end of 24 hours, the accounts of the health care workers would all be credited for April and May.
“The payment is not for only Resident Doctors, but also for consultants, nurses, pharmacists, physiologists, mortuary attendants, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) centres attendants, and all health care workers in COVID-19 designated hospitals and all Federal Medical Centres in designated states,” he said.
The minister said the federal government had taken care of all the major issues raised by NARD, stressing that the appropriation for residence programme had been captured in the 2021 budget and would roll over from 2020.
Also speaking, Minister of Health, Dr Ehanire Osagie, appreciated the essential services of the health workforce in keeping Nigerians healthy, especially during this global pandemic of COVID-19.
He said government had made every effort to meet the demands of the health workforce and therefore called on the National Association of Resident Doctors to discontinue its industrial action and assist government in protecting the health of Nigerians.
He said the federal government was ready to protect the lives of Nigerians, stressing that the Ministry of Health would issue a directive to all medical directors in the country to open a register for those present and absent from work.
Those who attended the meeting were the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo; Minister of State for Health, Senator Olorunimbe Mamora; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mr William Alo; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Tope Fashedemi; and the president of National Association of Resident Doctors, Mr Aliyi Sokomba.
