Doctor
By EZEKIEL OBI, Abuja-
Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a 19-point list of demands to the Federal Government, describing them as the “bare minimum” conditions that must be met to avert an indefinite nationwide strike expected to begin on Saturday.
NARD President, Dr. Muhammad Suleiman, made this known on Monday in Abuja during a press briefing where he presented the resolutions reached at the association’s Extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.
The meeting followed the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum earlier given to the government.
Suleiman said the doctors have exercised patience for too long despite continued neglect from the authorities, noting that preparations for the strike were already underway, including ward rounds and patient handovers.
> “There are allowances of over two years, some for 18 months, seven months, four months, and even 10 years,” Suleiman lamented. “There has also been a failure to review the basic salary of doctors in this country for 16 years.”
According to him, unpaid allowances and welfare arrears — estimated at ₦38 billion — affect not just resident doctors but other categories of health workers, including administrative staff.
He recalled that NARD had previously suspended a five-day warning strike in September and extended its ultimatum by another month to give the government time to act, but no meaningful progress had been made.
> “The Federal Government has failed to demonstrate the political will necessary to address the legitimate concerns of Nigerian resident doctors,” he said.
*NARD’s 19 Demands at a Glance*
Suleiman explained that the 19-point demand outlines the least actions required to prevent a total breakdown of the nation’s public healthcare system.
Among the key requests are the immediate payment of the 25–35% CONMESS arrears, the 2024 accoutrement allowance, and other pending financial entitlements owed to doctors and health workers.
The NEC also insisted on the reinstatement of five resident doctors dismissed from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, with full payment of their withheld salaries and allowances.
Additionally, NARD called for the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to introduce a humane working-hours policy aligned with global best practices, to protect both doctors’ well-being and patient safety.
*Other major demands include*:
Full implementation of the one-for-one replacement policy to ease excessive workload.
Upgrading and maintenance of medical infrastructure and training facilities nationwide.
Commencement of specialist allowance payments for all doctors.
Inclusion of medical and dental house officers in the civil service scheme with full benefits.
Correction of entry-level placements and prompt payment of arrears.
Completion of the Collective Bargaining Agreement Committee’s review of CONMESS and other professional allowances.
Release of corrected tables for professional allowances and enforcement of salary relativity between CONMESS and CONHESS.
NARD also demanded the payment of promotion arrears, an end to casualisation of doctors, and uniform implementation of all CONMESS circulars across federal, state, and private institutions. The association further called for the implementation of special pension benefits earlier agreed upon with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).
*Strike to Begin Saturday Midnight*
Following the government’s failure to meet the listed demands, Suleiman announced that:
> “NARD hereby declares a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike commencing at 12:00 a.m. on Saturday.
All resident doctors in federal and state tertiary health institutions nationwide are directed to withdraw their services completely and indefinitely until the Federal Government and affected state governments demonstrate genuine commitment to addressing our demands.”
In a heartfelt appeal, Suleiman urged President Bola Tinubu to personally intervene to forestall the strike and resolve the lingering issues.
> “I hope you will listen to this passionate appeal and use your goodwill. You are the father of the nation. Come into this matter, weigh in it, and solve it for us,” he pleaded.
Over the years, NARD has repeatedly resorted to industrial action to demand better working conditions, improved remuneration, and enhanced welfare for medical professionals across Nigeria’s health sector.
