The Federal Government has approved the immediate release of N11.9 billion to clear outstanding salary and allowance arrears owed to medical professionals across the country.

The decision, announced by Alaba Balogun, Head of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Health, was made public on Saturday, just hours after the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) embarked on an indefinite nationwide strike over unmet demands.

In a statement, the ministry said the government was taking “concrete actions” to resolve the concerns raised by the striking doctors, adding that recruitment, payment of arrears, and sector-wide reforms were already underway.

Balogun revealed that, following a directive from President Bola Tinubu to expedite payments, the ministries of Health and Finance had on Thursday credited N21.3 billion into the IPPIS account for the settlement of health workers’ arrears, including those of NARD members.

He further disclosed that the government had earlier released N10 billion in August to begin payment of seven months’ arrears resulting from the 25 percent and 35 percent upward review of the CONMESS and CONHESS salary structures for all categories of health workers.

Balogun reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restoring industrial peace in the health sector and appealed to the striking doctors to take into account the latest intervention as negotiations continue.