The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has temporarily suspended its indefinite strike for two weeks, in order to hold further discussions with the federal government.

The decision was taken at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the association, which held on Wednesday night.

The strike will resume if, at the expiration of two weeks, the government has still not acceded to the doctors’ demands.

Segun Olaopa, Chairman of University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, chapter of NARD, explained that the suspension was influenced by outcry from the public and pleas that they should give the government more time.

Some of the demands being made by the striking doctors include: recalling of some of their sacked colleagues, payment of ‘skipping’ entitlements, inclusion in the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and payment of outstanding salary arrears.

So far, the federal government has agreed to pay the salary arrears and also begin the process of including resident doctors on the IPPIS platform.

According to Arikawe Adeolu, a member of the national executive council of NARD, members of the association are yet to receive their arrears.