President Muhammadu Buhari has implored doctors to get back to work while promising to see to their needs.
Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige met with the doctors on Friday to iron out the issues.
According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant On Media to the President, Shehu Garba.
“The lives of citizens that could be lost or damaged when doctors withdraw services, are precious enough to be worth opting for peaceful resolution of differences.’
He added that:
“Protecting our citizens is not to be left to the government alone, but taken as a collective responsibility, in which especially medical professionals play a critical role. Let me speak directly to the striking doctors.
“Embarking on industrial action at this time when Nigerians need you most is not the best action to take, no matter the grievances.”
He disclosed that, “This administration has a good track record of paying all debts owed to government workers, pensioners and contractors and we have even revisited debts left by past administrations, once due verification is done. Debts genuinely owed to health workers will be settled.”
He made it known that, “I learnt that some of the 12 points demanded in the ongoing strike were already addressed, though the review of a new hazard allowance has not been fully negotiated because of the sharp and deep division within the ranks of the striking doctors.’’
The President gave the assurance that:
“We are also supporting initiatives to expand health insurance coverage and bring more resources to health financing. We have many more challenges ahead and much more to do, for our large population.”
