The Federal Government has expressed optimism that doctors on strike could resume duties within the next two weeks.
Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, stated this on Saturday, at the end of the ‘Walk for Life’ programme organised by the Institute of Directors in Lagos.
According to him, the immediate cause of the strike is being addressed, adding that both parties much reach a conclusion to avoid more loss of lives due to the impasse.
He said: “I think the major issue is the introduction of the electronic platform called Integrated Payroll and Personnel System. Americans are being paid through this system, but the Federal Government is now introducing the system across its entire establishment and it is a common thing that whenever there is a new system, there would be one problem or the other associated with it.
“The system actually affected few and the question arose whether they should be on IP or be excluded and this led to not paying them for two months. However, the few affected cannot be compared with those that have been paid.
“I am pleading with them not to go that far because anything that has to do with life is worth given a second thought.”
He disclosed that discussion were ongoing, appealing to the medical practitioners to shift ground in order to achieve a workable solution.
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