BY CHIOMA OBINNA with Agency reports

As the strike called by Medical Doctors in Lagos enters its 5th week, President of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Dr Nnebue Chinomnso Sunday in Kano said that Nigerian doctors are among the poorly remunerated doctors in the world.

Chinomnso who spoke shortly after the emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) said doctors in the country deserved good salaries for not migrating abroad “in search of greener pastures”.

He described doctors, who chose to remain in the country, as patriotic citizens, urging the government and the people of Nigeria to appreciate them for their selfless services.

He, therefore, dismissed insinuations that the striking medical doctors were asking for too much in terms of better remuneration, stressing that Nigerian legislators and other political office holders were earning more salaries than the doctors.

‘His words, “So, what we are asking for is a little money to keep us here and enable us to sustain ourselves while we render this service”

Meanwhile, NARD has resolved to suspend its plan to resume its nationwide strike initially billed to commence yesterday, following appeals from well-meaning Nigerians and assurances from the umbrella body, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).

Chinomnso, however, expressed the hope that the gesture would be “positively and favourably reciprocated”.

It could be recalled that NARD had earlier planned to embarked on a nationwide indefinite strike, following non implementation of the controversial Consolidated Salary Structure (CONMESS) in some states across the nation.