NARD gives FG 24- hour ultimatum over unmet demands
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has given the Federal Government a fresh 24-hour ultimatum to meet its outstanding demands or face an immediate nationwide strike. This comes after the expiration of an earlier 10-day deadline on September 10.
The decision was reached after a six-hour virtual meeting of the association’s National Executive Council on Wednesday. NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara, said while the government had assured doctors that their concerns would be addressed, the union would only wait one more day before taking action.
In a communiqué signed by Osundara, General Secretary Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku, and Publicity Secretary Dr. Omoha Amobi, the doctors demanded payment of the outstanding 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, settlement of five months’ salary arrears from the 25–35 per cent CONMESS review, and other backlog allowances. They also called for the disbursement of the 2024 accoutrement allowance, specialist allowances, recognition of West African postgraduate membership certificates, and resolution of welfare issues in Kaduna State and at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.
Resident doctors are regarded as the backbone of Nigeria’s public health system, delivering most of the clinical services in federal and state hospitals. Any strike by the association typically cripples healthcare delivery, leaving patients stranded and hospitals overwhelmed.
Speaking today, Osundara confirmed that more than 2,000 resident doctors were still awaiting payment of the MRTF. He warned that if the government fails to make the payments by today, NARD members nationwide would withdraw their services starting Friday.
