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The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has declared an industrial dispute with the Federal Government and granted a fresh four-week window for the resolution of its long-standing demands, warning of potential nationwide industrial action if the issues remain unaddressed.
The resolution was reached at the association’s Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held virtually on Saturday, following the expiration of an earlier 21-day ultimatum issued to the government.
In a communiqué issued on Sunday and signed by NARD President Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman, Secretary-General Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity and Social Secretary Dr. Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim, the association stated it could no longer guarantee industrial harmony beyond the new deadline.
“The association cannot guarantee industrial harmony beyond the four-week window if all its demands are not fully addressed,” the communiqué stated.
NARD also directed its National Officers’ Committee to begin preparations for industrial action should the Federal Government fail to meet its demands within the stipulated period.
The association accused the government and some health institutions of failing to fulfil commitments on doctors’ welfare, including the payment of outstanding salaries, allowances and other entitlements.
Among its key concerns, NARD said the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund had yet to be released despite repeated assurances from the government. It also cited persistent delays in the payment of house officers’ salaries and other outstanding entitlements across several health facilities.
The association further lamented the non-payment of the 25/35 per cent CONMESS salary review arrears and 19 months of outstanding Professional Allowance arrears.
“NARD can no longer tolerate the hardship being imposed on doctors through persistent delays in salaries and welfare payments,” the communiqué added.
The resident doctors also raised concerns over what they described as the victimisation of members at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, warning that they would resist any form of intimidation or harassment.
The association equally condemned attempts by the management of the teaching hospital to reintroduce bench fees for resident doctors in private tertiary health institutions despite an existing government circular abolishing the practice.
NARD also criticised the management of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital for its continued refusal to provide call meals for resident doctors on duty, describing the development as an anti-welfare practice.
It warned that any hospital management that failed to provide the entitlement would be held responsible for any industrial unrest arising from the situation.
While highlighting its grievances, NARD acknowledged some positive developments, including ongoing efforts to tackle assaults on healthcare workers and the near-completion of reports by ministerial committees investigating workplace violence, excessive workload, prolonged call hours, casualisation of doctors, and abusive locum appointments.
It also commended some state governments and private tertiary health institutions for implementing welfare measures, including the payment of Professional Allowance arrears, Specialist Allowance, salary adjustments under the revised CONMESS structure and the disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund.
However, it maintained that implementation of agreements reached with the Federal Government remained slow and unsatisfactory.
The association demanded the immediate release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, payment of all outstanding salary, promotion and Professional Allowance arrears, implementation of the revised CONMESS salary structure, improved protection for healthcare workers against assaults, accelerated implementation of the Medical and Health Workers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement, and prompt approval and implementation of recommendations by ministerial committees investigating excessive workload and poor working conditions for doctors.
NARD said it would review the government’s level of compliance at its National Executive Council meeting scheduled for July 2026 in Gombe State.
Punch
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