AfriPulse
Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has declared an industrial dispute with the Federal Government, extending by four weeks the deadline for the implementation of its outstanding demands and warning that it could embark on a nationwide strike if the issues remain unresolved.
The decision was reached during the association’s Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held virtually on Saturday, with NARD stating, “The association cannot guarantee industrial harmony beyond the four-week window if all its demands are not fully addressed.”
The association also directed its National Officers’ Committee to begin all necessary preparations for industrial action should the Federal Government fail to meet its obligations within the new timeline.
NARD expressed dissatisfaction over the non-release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, delayed payment of House Officers’ salaries, and outstanding promotion, salary and Professional Allowance arrears, saying, “NARD can no longer tolerate the hardship being imposed on doctors through persistent delays in salaries and welfare payments.”
The doctors further condemned the alleged victimisation of members at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, and opposed attempts to reintroduce bench fees for resident doctors in private tertiary health institutions despite an existing government directive abolishing the practice.
The association also criticised the management of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for failing to provide call meals for doctors on duty, warning that any resulting industrial unrest would be the responsibility of affected hospital authorities.
Despite the concerns, NARD acknowledged progress in addressing assaults on healthcare workers and welcomed efforts by some state governments and private tertiary health institutions to improve doctors’ welfare through salary adjustments and payment of outstanding allowances.
The association said it would assess the Federal Government’s level of compliance with its demands, including the release of the residency training fund, payment of outstanding entitlements and implementation of agreed welfare measures, at its National Executive Council meeting scheduled for July 2026 in Gombe State.
Source: NationalAccordNewspaper | Read the Full Story…
