But the doctors sent a fresh two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to pay all outstanding salary arrears owed them, the major grouse which sparked off the industrial action in the first place.

National president of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Dr. Jerry Oguzie broke news of the strike suspension to Daily Champion shortly after the association’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja.

Following this development, the proposed NEC meeting earlier scheduled for next Thursday in Benin, the Edo State capital, had been cancelled, Oguzie stated.

Hospital sources said no fewer than 20,000 lives were lost on account of the strike.

It would be recalled that the striking doctors had met twice last week in Asaba, the Delta State capital, to brainstorm on whether to suspend the strike or not, but the meetings were deadlocked as members’ positions were polarised on both occasions.

While some argued that the strike be called off because the Federal Government would fulfill its promise of releasing the N7.994 billion needed for the payment of doctors salary arrears, others said the strike should continue as government could not be completely trusted.

However, due to pleas by the president of the Biafra-Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Wole Atoyebi, NARD held an emergency NEC meeting on Saturday and decided that the strike be suspended.

NARD also agreed to give government two weeks ultimatum to pay up the N7.994 billion, after which if government fails, the association will meet on the next step to take.

It would also be recalled that government had said last week that it had released funds to pay the aggrieved doctors, a position which was promptly countered by NARD which noted that the money had not yet been lodged into the accounts of the different public hospitals where their members work.

Dr. Oguzie explained to Daily Champion that the strike was suspended purely on compassionate grounds, especially considering the recent multiple auto car accidents at Maryland, Lagos that left many survivors in very critical condition.

"We are, however, appealing to government not to take us for a ride but to please release our salary arrears in the two week ultimatum we have given," he said.

Meanwhile, government has ordered a mandatory personnel verification and payment parade of all doctors in the nation’s public hospitals before payment of their arrears.

Since the strike commenced December 6, last year services at all teaching hospitals, federal medical centres and state government-owned health institutions have been paralysed.