The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Friday commenced a five-day warning strike, accusing the federal government of neglecting long-standing demands on welfare, salaries, and training funds.
The strike, confirmed in a statement signed by NARD Secretary-General, Oluwasola Odunbaku, began at 8:00 a.m. and is expected to paralyse services in tertiary hospitals across the country.
NARD had earlier issued a 24-hour ultimatum after the expiration of a 10-day deadline on 10 September. The doctors said they were left with no choice as multiple engagements with the government yielded no results.
Unmet Demands
The doctors are demanding the immediate disbursement of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), settlement of five months’ arrears under the revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), and payment of outstanding hazard and specialist allowances.
They also faulted the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) for downgrading postgraduate membership certificates from the West African Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons, calling the move “insensitive and retrogressive.”
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NARD criticised state governments, particularly Oyo, for failing to pay MRTF and address welfare challenges in their teaching hospitals, describing the situation as “gross negligence.”
Warning to Government
The association warned that failure to meet its demands could trigger an indefinite nationwide strike.
“To avoid a prolonged shutdown, we call for the urgent release of 2025 MRTF, settlement of CONMESS arrears, and restoration of recognition for West African membership certificates,” the statement said.
FCT Doctors Join In
Separately, the Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory (ARD-FCT), has been on a seven-day strike since 8 September over manpower shortages, poor welfare, unpaid salaries, and lack of recruitment in FCT hospitals since 2011.
Their action, led by ARD-FCT President George Ebong, is scheduled to end on 15 September pending government response.
Mounting Pressure
Resident doctors, who form the backbone of Nigeria’s tertiary health system, have repeatedly gone on strike in recent years, often leaving patients stranded nationwide. The latest action again raises fears of worsening healthcare delivery as medical emigration continues to surge.