The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has threatened to embark on a strike if the federal government fails to honour its agreements.
In a statement on Friday, NARD said its national executive council (NEC) would meet to consider further action under its “TICS 2.0 — no implementation, no going back” stance, following the expiration of the implementation deadline.
The association said Friday marked the second day after the deadline given to the federal government to implement the memorandum of understanding (MoU).
“Today, the national executive council members shall make a determination of the modus operandi for NARD TICS 2.0: NO IMPLEMENTATION, NO GOING BACK,” the statement reads.
NARD said it suspended its last strike in good faith following assurances from the government, but noted that those commitments have yet to be honoured.
“Commitments were made. Timelines were agreed. Implementation remains outstanding. These are signed commitments — not negotiations,” the association said.
The doctors said preventing another nationwide strike depends on concrete government action rather than the endurance of healthcare workers.
“The responsibility to avert another nationwide doctors’ strike lies with government action, not doctors’ patience,” the statement reads.
NARD accused the government of failing to respect agreements reached with resident doctors, alleging that several provisions were ignored, modified or only partly executed.
“Agreements have been either totally neglected, altered or half implemented. Gains made have been allowed to be overtaken by events totally of the making of government,” the association said.
NARD also pushed back as repeated attempts to label resident doctors as agitators, insisting that its members play a critical role in healthcare delivery.
“It is not a crime to read medicine in the university, it is certainly not a crime to be a member of NARD in Nigeria. We have not offended anyone by constituting ourselves as the backbone of healthcare service delivery in Nigeria,” the association added.
“No one wants to embark on such actions of industrial disharmony. It becomes the last resort when those saddled with the responsibility of governance turn a blind eye to the realities of the suffering of NARDites.”
“The clock has run out. Immediate action can restore trust, protect the health system, and avert TICS 2.0.”