FG releases N4.5bn to 31 teaching hospitals .......Pleads with Resident Doctors to call off strike.

The Federal Government on Friday said it has released N4.5 billion to 31 Federal Teaching and Medical Centres across the country for the payment of hazard and inducement allowances for the month of April and May.

Senator Ngige, flanked by the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr Festus Keyamo, said that the money was released early morning of Friday.

The Minister also said that they briefed President Buhari on the strike embarked upon by the National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD.

It will be recalled that NARD had on Sunday directed its members to go on strike over the shortage of Personal Protective Equipment, PPE, and poor remuneration for members as they battle the raging Coronavirus pandemic.

According to him, “Just this morning, before we went to see Mr President, the Ministry of Finance reported that as at this morning, 3 am, they have paid the allowances for hazard and inducement to 31 teaching and Federal Medical Centres and specialist hospitals of the federal government service.

“And they have expended close to N4.5 billion in the payment because we are paying them the arrears of April and May. The payment for June will also be done immediately these ones are sorted out.