By Chinyere Amalu

ABUJA— The Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu has appealed to the National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, to reconsider their proposed strike action scheduled to commence today.

NARD, in a briefing yesterday declared its intention to embark on indefinite strike action at the expiration of 21-day ultimatum issued earlier.

National President of the association, Dr. John Aremu said, “the  nationwide strike action which commenced from today is expected to prompt government to address the association’s four point demands, including implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, CONMESS, and the immediate payment of the arrears accrued from January 2010.”

He pointed out that their decision to embark on strike was due to the inability of government to tackle pertinent issues affecting members of the association even after giving an earlier three-days warning strike last month to highlight their demands.

Minister of Health however, maintained that every promise that has been made with regard to the payment of  CONMESS will be fulfilled, adding that  payment will commence this month as earlier  announced in the media and during his meetings with both factions of NARD in his office last week.