The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued the Federal Government a fresh four-week ultimatum to address its outstanding demands, warning that it may embark on a nationwide industrial action if the issues remain unresolved.
The decision followed an Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held virtually on Saturday after the expiration of an earlier 21-day ultimatum.
In a communiqué signed by NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman, Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim, the association said it could no longer guarantee industrial peace beyond the new deadline.
NARD also directed its National Officers’ Committee to begin preparations for industrial action should the Federal Government fail to address its concerns within the stipulated period.
The doctors accused the government and some health institutions of failing to honour agreements on workers’ welfare, citing delays in the payment of salaries, allowances and other entitlements.
Among the unresolved issues are the non-release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, delayed payment of house officers’ salaries, unpaid promotion arrears, outstanding Professional Allowance arrears spanning 19 months, and the backlog of the 25/35 per cent CONMESS salary review arrears.
The association also raised concerns over the alleged victimisation of its members at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex in Ile-Ife, warning against any form of intimidation or harassment.
It further criticised the reintroduction of bench fees for resident doctors in some private tertiary health institutions despite an existing government directive abolishing the practice.
NARD also faulted the management of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital over its continued refusal to provide call meals for doctors on duty, describing the development as anti-welfare and warning that hospital authorities would be held responsible for any industrial unrest arising from the issue.
Despite its grievances, the association acknowledged ongoing efforts to address assaults on healthcare workers and the progress made by ministerial committees investigating workplace violence, excessive workload, prolonged call hours, casualisation of doctors and abusive locum appointments.
It also commended some state governments and private tertiary health institutions for implementing welfare measures, including the payment of Professional Allowance arrears, Specialist Allowance, salary adjustments under the revised CONMESS structure and the disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund.
However, NARD maintained that implementation of agreements reached with the Federal Government remains slow and unsatisfactory.
The association is demanding the immediate release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, payment of all outstanding salary and allowance arrears, full implementation of the revised CONMESS salary structure, improved protection for healthcare workers against assaults, accelerated implementation of the Medical and Health Workers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement, and the prompt execution of recommendations from ministerial committees on doctors’ working conditions.
NARD said it will review the government’s level of compliance at its National Executive Council meeting scheduled to hold in July in Gombe State.
Comments
Add a comment