The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has maintained its resolve to commence a nationwide strike on September 10.
NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara, confirmed this in an interview with journalists on Wednesday, saying that despite a meeting with the government earlier in the week, there was “no positive outcome.”
The association had earlier issued a 10-day ultimatum, warning that its members would down tools unless pressing issues, including unpaid entitlements, were resolved.
The doctors accused the government of failing to honour previous promises, highlighting that thousands of resident doctors remain unpaid for their 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).
They also decried the refusal to settle five months of arrears from the 25 per cent/35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review, as well as other pending salary arrears and allowances, including the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance.
About three weeks ago, the Federal Government inaugurated the Committee on Collective Bargaining for the health sector to negotiate remuneration, welfare, and professional development. However, Osundara said that despite the move, “there has not been a positive response from the government.”
“The 10-day ultimatum is still counting. Unfortunately, there has not been a positive response from the government. There is no positive response at all. So, as it stands, my people are angry, and I only hope that there won’t be a breakdown in our healthcare system. After the 10 days of the ultimatum, we cannot guarantee industrial harmony, as we’ve extended a hand of friendship and tried to reason with them,” he said.
The NARD President warned that delays in releasing the MRTF would prevent doctors from registering for crucial residency exams.
“So, what it means is that, if my people cannot register for exams, the government has automatically extended their residency training. So, they will automatically lose one year, and it is also not even good for the government because if you lose one year, the government will still have to fund this training the following year, and pay for this year again. So, it is more or less like the government is the one that is losing. Because if you pay the money on time, people can register for the exams, they can go about their businesses, and it will also improve academic excellence,” he added.
Osundara further disclosed that over 2,000 doctors across the country were yet to receive the MRTF, with the registration window closing on Friday, September 5.
“Over 2,000 doctors across every region are yet to receive the MRFT. The government paid some people, and didn’t pay others. Those people who were not paid are really agitated, and the deadline is this Friday.
“Many doctors at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, University of Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and many more are yet to receive the training fund,” he lamented.
Meanwhile, the Association of Resident Doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, has been on strike since July 29. Similarly, ARD members in Kaduna State began an indefinite strike on September 1.