The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a stern 10-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the immediate resolution of long-standing welfare issues and failure to implement previous agreements. The association has warned that it will embark on an indefinite nationwide strike if its demands are not met before the deadline expires.
This decisive action was announced in a communiqué released on Monday following an Extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held virtually on Sunday. The document was signed by the association’s President, Dr. Tope Osundara; General Secretary, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Omoha Amobi.
A History of Unfulfilled Promises
In their statement, NARD officials expressed deep frustration with the government’s failure to honour commitments made after a previous ultimatum. The association recalled that in July, it had initially given a three-week deadline for action.
“In the interest of industrial harmony,” the NEC had shown goodwill by extending that ultimatum by an additional three weeks. This extension was granted to allow the association’s National Officers’ Committee more time to engage with government stakeholders and find a resolution.
However, the communiqué noted that despite this grace period and ongoing negotiations, the Federal Government has failed to fulfil its promises, leaving the doctors with no other recourse but to take decisive action.
Core Grievances and Demands
While the latest communiqué reiterates the urgency, the core demands of NARD have been consistent over time. They are expected to include:
· Complete Implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and arrears dating back to 2015.
· Immediate Payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to enable members to sit for forthcoming exams.
· Urgent Recruitment of Clinical Staff to bridge the massive manpower gap created by the brain drain of healthcare professionals emigrating abroad.
· Payment of all outstanding salary arrears and owed allowances to its members across federal and state tertiary health institutions.
· Provision of adequate workplace infrastructure and enhanced security for doctors and patients within hospitals.
Implications of a Potential Strike
A nationwide strike by resident doctors, who form the bulk of the medical workforce in public tertiary hospitals, would cripple an already overburdened healthcare system. It would lead to the shutdown of emergency rooms, surgical wards, and outpatient clinics, causing severe disruptions to medical services for millions of Nigerians.
The 10-day countdown now places immense pressure on the Federal Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and other relevant agencies to urgently convene a meeting with NARD’s leadership to avert another debilitating industrial action in the health sector.
As of the time of this report, there has been no immediate official response from the Federal Government.
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