There are indications that the leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) might suspend their over 35-day-old strike.

This position is consequent upon the marathon meeting began at the weekend in Abuja by the doctors’ umbrella association and which might extend to two or more days so that a concrete stand might be taken on the ongoing indefinite strike embarked upon by doctors in public hospitals in the country.

The doctors had suspended their services indefinitely on July 1, 2014, over what they said were unmet demands by the government.

Earlier, the association had emergency delegates meetings, comprising leaders of the groups in the 36 states, including the FCT, aimed at ending the strike. These meetings failed to end the strike as majority of the delegates were said to have voted for its continuation.

However, the ongoing delegates meeting of the association, which began at the weekend, is believed to have weighed in all appeals from many eminent Nigerians and from different sections of the country, giving hope that the strike might be suspended or called off.

As at the time of filing this report, yesterday, many journalists were still waiting at the national headquarters of the NMA, venue of the meeting, with the hope that the doctors would reach a resolution. At around 5pm yesterday, one of the delegates came to meet with reporters and pleaded that it would take 48 hours more to get the outcome of the meeting. He confirmed that that the delegates were yet to reach a consensus.

Feelers gathered by Daily Newswatch, however, indicated that the association might suspend the strike, particularly because of their concern over the Ebola disease that has generated anxiety in Nigeria, claiming the life of a Liberia, Mr. Patrick Sawyer, who flew to the country.

In Guinea, Liberia and Sierra-Leone, where the disease has claimed hundreds of lives, medical personnel are busy saving lives and helping in putting precautionary measures in place to contain the scourge.

But Nigeria’s efforts to contain the virus have been largely hampered by the string doctors in public hospitals as doctors in private facilities have been overstretched.

Nigerians who had had contacts with Mr. Sawyer who died two days after arriving Nigeria have all been placed under surveillance and are quarantined, according to Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu.

And with the growing list of these Nigerians on surveillance, it is believed that the striking doctors in public hospital are needed for emergencies. Given this scenario, it is hoped that the doctors might call off the strike and resume this week.

The NMA is making 24-point demand from government and “about three” of them were met just a week ago, according President of Ondo State Chapter of the association, Dokun Noel, who spoke with Daily Newswatch.

Both the negotiating team of the NMA and government’s representatives have met severally and such meetings have failed to end the impasse.

Thousands of deaths have been recorded across the country since the doctors went on strike, including maternal and children deaths.