---
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has warned of a nationwide indefinite strike starting from 10 August if the federal government does not pay outstanding salary arrears and fix welfare issues affecting its members.
The association shared this news in a statement after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Gombe State. They reviewed how previous agreements with the government have been carried out.
NARD said the planned Total and Comprehensive Industrial Strike (TICS) will begin at 8 a.m. on 10 August unless the government meets their demands before that date.
“The NEC reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement and dialogue but reiterated that the welfare of resident doctors and the survival of Nigeria’s healthcare system remain non-negotiable,” the statement said.
Unpaid salary issues
NARD called for the immediate payment of outstanding salary arrears related to the 25 and 35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review. They also mentioned 19 months of unpaid professional allowance and salary and promotion arrears owed to doctors in various federal health institutions.
The association urged the government to pay all eligible resident doctors who were left out of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) disbursement without any delay.
While acknowledging the federal government’s recent payment of the residency training fund to eligible doctors, NARD said many financial issues for resident doctors are still unresolved.
LUTH issues
NARD expressed worries about the intimidation of resident doctors at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
They accused the hospital management of not providing call duty meals despite multiple discussions and urged the federal government to step in.
NARD warned that if the issues at LUTH are not resolved before 10 August, they will have no choice but to take industrial action.
Attacks on doctors and healthcare problems
NARD condemned the ongoing attacks, harassment, and intimidation of doctors across Nigeria, stating that these incidents threaten a vulnerable healthcare system.
They called for a national protocol to stop violence against healthcare workers and asked lawmakers to make assaults on health personnel a criminal offense.
The association pointed out the poor state of public hospitals, mentioning a lack of medical equipment, unreliable electricity, and poor maintenance of health facilities.
They also highlighted the chronic underfunding of the health sector, shortages of healthcare workers, and high out-of-pocket costs, which limit access to quality healthcare for many Nigerians.
NARD urged both federal and state governments to invest more in healthcare, strengthen primary healthcare services, improve health financing, and hire more health workers to achieve universal health coverage.
They also called for the quick conclusion and implementation of the Medical and Health Workers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement and the recommendations from the ministerial committee reviewing the excessive workloads, long call duty hours, casualization of doctors, and misuse of locum appointments.
Furthermore, they demanded urgent actions to tackle salary delays, unpaid arrears, and internship placement issues affecting house officers.
Nigeria has seen many strikes by resident doctors in recent years, mainly due to unpaid salaries and allowances, poor working conditions, funding for residency training, and the execution of agreements made with the government.
Health experts have warned that long strikes disrupt healthcare access, delay surgeries, and increase pressure on a health system that is already struggling, especially for patients using public hospitals.
Drop your comment
No comments yet — be the first to drop the gist 👇