Resident Doctors Reveal Why Warning Strike Was Suspended

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has explained that its decision to suspend the five-day warning strike on Sunday followed the commencement of payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to members who had previously been owed.

The association said it reached the decision after receiving assurances from the Federal Government that other outstanding demands would be addressed. It added that the suspension would last for two weeks, during which the union would closely monitor the government’s commitment to its promises.

NARD noted that the decision was also influenced by the hardship patients had been experiencing in accessing healthcare services during the strike. Its president, Dr. Tope Osundara, said the suspension was a gesture of goodwill aimed at easing the burden on Nigerians.

In a memo jointly signed by Dr. Osundara, Secretary-General Dr. Odunbaku Kazeem Oluwasola, and Publicity and Social Secretary Dr. Amobi Omoha, the union said the resolution was reached after an Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held virtually on September 13.

The strike, which began on September 12, was suspended effective 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 14, to provide the Federal Government with a two-week window to implement the agreements outlined in NARD’s communiqué.

Among the pending issues highlighted in the communiqué are the payment of five months’ arrears from the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review, settlement of the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance, and a corrected circular on doctors’ remuneration from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC).

The doctors also criticized the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria for allegedly downgrading West African postgraduate membership certificates and faulted the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria over delays in issuing certificates.

NARD further issued a warning to the Oyo State Government to comply with a 15-day ultimatum earlier issued by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in the state concerning unresolved welfare matters at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso. The association cautioned that failure to comply could prompt its National Officers’ Committee to order all resident doctors in Oyo State to embark on an indefinite solidarity strike.

The union also urged other state governments to urgently resolve welfare challenges confronting doctors in their tertiary hospitals, stressing that members in affected states had been empowered by the NEC to sustain ongoing industrial actions until credible commitments were made.

While reaffirming its dedication to defending the welfare of health workers, NARD restated its readiness to collaborate with all levels of government in strengthening the nation’s healthcare system.