The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has warned that it will resume its suspended strike if the Federal Government fails to fulfill all agreed demands within the next four weeks.
This warning was contained in a communiqué issued after NARD’s Extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Monday. The document was signed by the association’s President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman; Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Ibrahim.
NARD had suspended its indefinite nationwide strike on Saturday after 29 days of industrial action, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) committing the government to implement its demands within four weeks.
According to the communiqué:
“The strike is suspended for four weeks to allow monitoring of implementation. Failure to fully implement agreements will result in the resumption of a total, indefinite, and comprehensive strike.”
Outstanding Issues
The NEC reviewed the status of several key agreements, including:
CONMESS 25–35% salary arrears: IPPIS has processed payments up to December 2023, but some failed or omitted payments need reconciliation.
2024 accoutrement allowance: Largely paid but still requires reconciliation of outstanding cases.
Dismissed FTH Lokoja doctors: The committee report has been submitted, with full implementation expected within two weeks of November 27.
Work and call hours: An advisory discouraging excessive duties has been issued; a taskforce will produce a formal policy within two months.
Manpower shortages: The OHCSF has been directed to conclude the one-to-one replacement policy, with feedback due by November 28.
Promotion arrears: To be forwarded to the Budget Office and Ministry of Finance within one month.
House Officers’ Scheme of Service: NSIWC to transmit benefits to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria for implementation.
Universal CONMESS application: Ministry of Health mandated to ensure universal application across MDAs.
Casualisation of resident doctors: CMDs/MDs to standardise locum engagement, with a new policy expected within two months.
Specialist allowance for resident doctors: Directive issued by OHCSF; implementation to be handled by NSIWC.
Entry point downgrading: Resolved; IPPIS to implement upgrading back to CONMESS 3.
CBA committee: Ministries of Health, Labour, and Employment to speed up the process.
Outstanding salaries in several hospitals (Otukpo, Owo, Ilorin, OAUTHC, Uyo): To be transmitted for payment within one month.
The communiqué also highlighted unresolved issues in several state teaching hospitals and Federal Health Institutions, particularly Benue State University Teaching Hospital, calling for urgent intervention.
Four-Week Deadline
NARD emphasized that its monitoring of compliance would be strict, and failure to fully implement the agreements within four weeks will trigger an immediate resumption of its suspended strike.
The NEC resolved that:
The dismissed FTH Lokoja doctors must be reinstated within two weeks.
All outstanding allowances—including CONMESS arrears, accoutrement and specialist allowances, promotion arrears, and unpaid salaries—should be compiled and paid within one month.
Duty hours, locum policies, and manpower replacement must be addressed promptly through designated committees.
All unresolved agreements from the conciliatory meetings must be implemented without delay.
The NEC added that any State Teaching Hospital or Federal Health Institution with pending local issues should continue industrial action until there is “genuine commitment” from management.