Tag: Doctors

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) said it suspended its indefinite nationwide strike after 29 days due to measurable government action on key welfare and policy issues and out of concerns for the health outcomes of Nigerians.

NARD President Dr Mohammad Usman Sulieman, flanked by his executive members, speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday after the virtual National Executive Council meeting on November 29, said the decision was based on progress in arrears, allowances, manpower policies, and structural reforms affecting resident doctors nationwide.

“The Federal Government, through IPPIS, has paid arrears of the 25 and 35 per cent CONMESS review up to December 2023, except for isolated cases under reconciliation. Significant payments of the 2024 accoutrement allowance have also been made, with outstanding cases under review,” he said.

Suleiman highlighted the resolution of the disengagement of five resident doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja.

“The committee set up by the Minister of State for Health has submitted its report, and the government has committed to full implementation within two weeks from November 27. How do you score an agreement like that? We have to wait for implementation,” he added, noting the political will shown by the government.

He also noted that the Ministry of Health had issued advisories discouraging prolonged call duty hours, while a central taskforce comprising the ministry, Chief Medical Director la (CMDs), Medical and Dental Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), and NARD is mandated to develop a comprehensive duty-hour policy within two months.

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He also stressed that the association is actively engaged in the one-to-one replacement policy to address manpower shortages and burnout, with feedback expected imminently from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

Suleiman emphasized renewed directives on promotion arrears, specialist allowances, corrected professional allowances, and the universal application of CONMESS across federal ministries.

He, however, noted that the association welcomed government action to compile and transmit lists of outstanding salaries and allowances in several federal and State hospitals to the Budget Office and the Ministry of Finance for urgent payment.

While acknowledging progress, he expressed concern over unresolved local issues in some state tertiary hospitals, instructing members in affected centres to continue local industrial action until state governments demonstrate a genuine commitment to resolving their concerns.

He also highlighted ongoing work on collective bargaining agreements, infrastructure upgrades, and entry-level corrections for newly employed resident doctors.

“The 25 and 35 per cent CONMESS arrears have been paid, but up to 40 per cent of our members are yet to receive theirs. The MoU provides that NARD will receive a Remita report from IPPIS to reconcile omissions and ensure full payment. We agreed on that, and we are moving forward,” Dr Suleiman said.

He outlined the composition of the negotiation team, stressing the structured and comprehensive nature of the discussions.

“The national negotiation team included the Ministers of Labour and Employment, Finance, and State for Health and Social Welfare. The National Salaries and Wages Commission, Office of the Accountant General, Office of the Head of Civil Service, Committee of CMDs, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, National Postgraduate Medical College, and Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) were all represented. This was not a rogue engagement,” he said.

Reflecting on the broader impact of the strike, Dr Suleiman acknowledged the strain on doctors, including health risks and fatalities, saying, “Doctors have lost their lives during this strike due to comorbidities and accidents.

“We must reflect on the treatment of doctors in Nigeria; when we heal the healer, access to healthcare for all improves,” he said.

He said it was after exhaustive deliberations that the NEC resolved to suspend the strike for four weeks to allow government agencies to implement the renewed commitments. “We are giving the government a final window to implement the agreed demands. If these commitments are not fully met, the strike will resume immediately,” Suleiman warned.

Resident doctors in Abuja have embarked on an indefinite strike, citing the failure of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike to address critical issues plaguing the area’s healthcare system.

 The action, announced on Monday, followed a series of unheeded warnings, including a seven-day ultimatum issued on August 28 and a subsequent seven-day warning strike that began on September 8.

President of the Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA), Dr. George Ebong, declared the strike while briefing reporters in Abuja, expressing frustration over the government’s inaction.

“After reassessing the demands presented to the management of FCT hospitals, the congress noted with deep disappointment that none have been met,” Ebong stated.

He added, “This confirms our fears of chronic neglect of the healthcare system in the FCT.”

Read Also: Resident doctors call off strike

The doctors’ grievances stem from systemic failures in the FCT health sector, which they insist are not directed at individuals like Minister Wike or Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, the Health Services and Environment Secretary, but at long standing operational deficiencies.

“The government of FCTA has refused to listen. This congress has resolved to go on an indefinite strike starting today, Monday, Sept. 15, 2025,” Ebong announced.

The ARD-FCTA’s demands include the immediate payment of salaries owed to 26 members for over seven months, the recruitment of new doctors with a clear timeline by the end of 2025, and the release of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).

They also seek the cessation of incorrect salary deductions, proper promotions for post-Part II Fellows to Consultant roles, payment of wage award arrears, CONMESS salary adjustments, and 13 months of hazard allowance arrears.

Additionally, the doctors are calling for urgent renovations to FCTA hospitals and the settlement of arrears for 2025 external residents.

Ebong underscored the urgency of these demands, warning; “The strike will continue until the government demonstrates genuine commitment to resolve the crisis in the FCT health sector”.

There was chaos in many public hospitals around the country yesterday as members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) commenced a five-day nationwide warning strike over alleged government’s failure to meet their demands.

The few consultants who reported for duties were overwhelmed by the number of patients seeking attention, some critical.

Hundreds of patients were stranded as the few health workers available were stretched to their limits.

The patients expressed frustration at the slow pace of service. Some admitted they had little choice but to wait, given the strike’s impact on most other facilities.

In some other public hospitals, services were skeletal.

An example is the Kubwa General Hospital in Abuja which looked like a ghost town yesterday.

Although nurses and other health workers reported for duties, the atmosphere was subdued, with only a few patients to attend to.

Consultants at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, Abuja and the National Hospital, Abuja attended to patients, but the queues were long and the process slow.

The Pediatrics Unit, Family Medicine, and Surgical Outpatient Department brimmed with patients.

A consultant, who spoke to The Nation on condition of anonymity, confirmed that in-patients were still being managed.

“Right now, it is an understatement to say the consultants are overwhelmed.

“If the strike continues, the management might be forced to discharge patients earlier than usual.

“The pressure is mounting, and unless there is a quick resolution, things will get worse,” she warned.

The situation was similar at the University College Teaching Hospital Ibadan.

The doctors who reported for duty offered skeletal services.

In-patients whose conditions appeared stable were discharged while others requiring attention were referred to consultants.

A patient at the General Out-Patients (GOP) Clinic, Mr Kazeem Ajibade, said a few patients were attended to early in the morning while others were sent back around 8 am; the time fixed by the doctors to commence their strike.

President of NARD, Dr. Tope Osundara, said yesterday that the association was left with no choice after the federal government failed to act within the 10-day ultimatum given it to pay the outstanding 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).

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He said the strike would continue until the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) reviews the government’s response to its demands and decides on the next line of action, if the warning strike runs its full duration.

“Unfortunately, the minimum demands were not met within the given extension of 24-hour period, and the strike commenced this morning as directed by the NEC of the association,” he said in response to a text message from The Nation.

The situation appeared particularly worse at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Teachjng Hospital, Ogbomoso where doctors have been on strike for the second month running.

Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Oyo State Chapter, Dr Happy Adedapo, said nothing has been done by the state government to resolve the matter.

Dr Adedapo said: “It is resident doctors who are on strike. But we are also watching the space.

“Let me put it on record that the doctors in the employ of Oyo State Government, working at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, have been on strike for about two months now, and up till now, it is so pathetic that no government official has deemed it worthy to even call them for a meeting either for negotiation or anything.

“They have not had any official communication from the government to even know their grouse and how to resolve it. So, that goes to show that our political class doesn’t care about us.

“But at the appropriate time, I believe the NMA will take a position about the welfare of our members in LAUTECH Ogbomoso.

“We have said and done so many things. We have appealed, we have lobbied, we have adopted advocacy moves, social capital, everything within our disposal to ensure that the matter is resolved, but it is sad that the government has not been forthcoming. It is sad. We will soon take a stand on the matter.”

Efforts to reach top officials of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare as well as the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) through calls and text messages were unsuccessful yesterday.

However, to avert further escalation, the Federal Government inaugurated an Inter-Ministerial Committee on August 9 to oversee the implementation of agreements reached with health sector unions.

The committee was chaired by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Izaq Adekunle Salako, and included representatives from critical institutions such as the Ministries of Labour, Finance, and Employment; the Office of the Accountant-General; the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission and the Budget Office.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, who led the government’s delegation, stressed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu regards health workers as essential to the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appreciates all Nigeria’s health workers, whom he regards as key to realising the Renewed Hope Agenda for the health sector. His administration has made significant investments in infrastructure, equipment, services, and welfare, and will do even more,” Pate said.

The Minister added that the government’s priority was to restore stability in the health sector and sustain industrial harmony, recognising that frequent strikes not only disrupt medical services but also erode public trust in the system.

The Association of Resident Doctors, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (ARD-UITH), on Friday commenced a five-day warning strike as part of a coordinated nationwide effort to advocate for improved conditions in the health sector.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin, ARD-UITH President, Dr Mariam Shiru, said the action aligned with ongoing efforts by the national body to engage the Federal Government.

She explained that those efforts focused on addressing long-standing issues affecting resident doctors across the country.

She acknowledged the government’s previous engagements, including several meetings and the inauguration of a committee, but noted that progress had been limited.

“Out of seven months of outstanding arrears, two have been settled, although disbursements have been inconsistent across centres.

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“This is not about new allowances but long-standing entitlements. While the government has indicated that funds are available, the implementation has been slow,” she said.

Shiru also emphasised the importance of timely action to retain medical professionals in the country and reduce the ongoing brain drain.

According to NARD, many resident doctors are still awaiting payment of their 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund.

In addition, five months of arrears tied to the revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, 25 per cent/35 per cent are yet to be paid.

(NAN)

Nigeria risks another health crisis as the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has reaffirmed its plan to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike beginning September 10 if the Federal Government fails to address its outstanding welfare concerns.

NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara, said despite a meeting with government representatives last week, there has been “no positive response” to the association’s demands.

He noted that the 10-day ultimatum issued earlier remained in force, warning that failure to act could result in a breakdown of the healthcare system.

In a communiqué signed after its Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting, NARD listed grievances including non-payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), arrears from the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review, and the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance.

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The association also raised concerns over certificate delays and downgrades by regulatory bodies, as well as unfulfilled agreements by the Kaduna and Oyo State governments.

Dr. Osundara stressed that unresolved issues could disrupt the training and career progression of young doctors, further worsening the healthcare situation.

“They will lose one year, and the government will still have to fund this training the following year. So, it is more or less like the government is the one losing,” he argued.

He added that while the government recently paid part of salary arrears, the payments were incomplete, noting, “They have not done anything aside from the two-month arrears out of the seven months, and they didn’t pay the accurate amount. It’s up to them to find a solution.”

Osundara also disclosed that more than 2,000 doctors across multiple teaching hospitals, including Calabar, Port Harcourt, Uyo, and Maiduguri are yet to receive their MRTF, with the registration deadline for examinations expiring on September 5. 

“Those who were not paid are really agitated, and the deadline is this Friday,” he warned.

The Federal Government had in July inaugurated a Committee on Collective Bargaining to engage health sector unions on issues of remuneration, working conditions, and welfare. 

But NARD insists progress has been slow, “As it stands, after the 10 days of the ultimatum, we cannot guarantee industrial harmony,” Osundara said.