Doctors have suspended a strike planned for January 6 to give federal government room to implement agreements both signed at a meeting last Thursday in hopes of averting the strike.

Nigerian Medical Association spoke of concern about the "possible impact of withdrawal of services" by doctors on Nigerians.

NMA called off its planned strike after its executives met Saturday in Abuja to consider government moves to address its demands and noted "efforts and personal commitment" of President Goodluck Jonathan, several public appeals for more time for dialogue and intervention.

The demands government has promised to address include "demand for infrastructure upgrade, universal health coverage for Nigerians, appointment of a surgeon-general of the federation, and the redress of the gross injustice done to Nigerian doctors over time," said NMA president Dr Osahon Enabulele at a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday.

They are among demands set forth by NMA when doctors called a five-day warning strike in December after an earlier ultimatum it issued last September.

The suspension, however, does not rule out possible strike in future, which will depend on how current agreements are implemented within timelines agreed by both sides.

Government implementation of the demands comes under review on February 7 when both sides to appraise how the memorandum of understanding is implemented between now and Feb 7.

"At that meeting, of course, the NMA will be in good position to reappraise the commitment of the federal government. That is one timeline set by the federal government," he said.

He added: "We have tried not to give a definite timeline on our own. Government has set for itself timelines."

NMA said it took its decision in spite of deprivation of its members, calling it a "very great sacrifice made by us."

He avowed doctors were "prepared to make sacrifices and take necessary actions to salvage health" for Nigerians.