The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has withdrawn a circular it issued on Thursday mandating members of the FCT chapter of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to go back to work within 48 hours or consider themselves sacked.
This is following the intervention of the leadership of the House of Representatives through its House Committee on Health Services.
A statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Lanre Lasisi, disclosed that the withdrawal was arrived at after a meeting between the House Health Services Committee led by its Chairman, Tanko Sununu, officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on Friday.
The parties resolved that a Committee of 5 persons be set up comprising a member of NMA, two members of the NARD FCT chapter and two FCTA staff which will look into the issues relating to the payment of the doctors and report back.
It was also resolved at the meeting that FCT Administration should source for funds from alternative sources to pay flat rate to 36 Doctors that have not been paid between six to seven months pending when the issue is resolved.
Speaking at the meeting, the NMA President, Dr. Francis Faduyile, revealed that the national body of his group has directed all its members on strike to resume duties while the association continues with the negotiations with the FCTA on behalf of the striking doctors.
He applauded the leadership of the National Assembly, especially the House of Representatives, for their prompt intervention in the matter and ensuring the national emergency as regards to the Covid-19 is well contained within the nation.
