From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Federal Government has said it would do everything within its power to prevent the impending strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD.
The NARD had, on Monday, given the Federal Government a 21-day notice to meet their demands or face an indefinite strike.
NARD’s President, Dr. Muhammad Askira, had told newsmen in Abuja, that the ultimatum took effect from April 4.
He listed some of their demands to include payment of members’ salaries till date and appropriate placement of members in states and federal tertiary hospitals across the nation.
Others are reversal of sacked members in some hospitals as well as appropriate funding of residency training programme.
Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, gave the assurance at the commemoration of the 2016 World Health Day, as well as the flag off of the screening exercise organised by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Adewole said: “I am assuring Nigerians that there will be no strike. We have received the ultimatum, we have talked and we will meet again on Monday”.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal stressed that except Nigerians heed expert’s advice and adopt healthy lifestyle, the current 2.8million adult population with diabetes disease would increase.
He said diabetes is a disease that can be managed medically if detected early, adding it can also be avoided if Nigerians take adequate interest in what they eat.