The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has commenced a nationwide strike following the expiration of a 24-hour ultimatum given to the federal government.
Resident doctors, who are medical school graduates undergoing specialist training, form the backbone of Nigeria’s emergency wards and are considered crucial to healthcare delivery nationwide.
On September 1, the association issued a 10-day ultimatum to relevant government agencies to meet its demands. The deadline was later extended by 24 hours on September 11.
On Thursday, NARD president Tope Osundara warned that doctors would begin industrial action if the government failed to hold meaningful talks. “It’s majorly about welfare. We also have issues of shortage of manpower in almost all healthcare centres and facilities across the nation,” he said.
The strike was confirmed on Friday after the association’s national executive council (NEC) directed its members to down tools.
NARD’s demands include payment of the 2025 medical residency training fund (MRTF), settlement of 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears, and clearance of five months’ outstanding arrears from the 25 percent and 35 percent consolidated medical salary structure review.
The doctors are also demanding that the federal government reverse the downgrade of membership certificates of the West African Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), a move they say undermines regional standards for specialist training.
The federal government has yet to respond to the strike announcement.
Boluwatife Enome
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