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September 01, (THEWILL) — The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a 10-day ultimatum to government agencies to meet its demands or face a nationwide strike.
A communiqué jointly signed by its president, Dr Tope Osundara; the General Secretary, Dr Oluwasola Odunbaku; and Publicity and the Social Secretary, Omoha Amobi, said the resolution followed the association’s Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting, held virtually on Sunday.
In July, NARD issued a three-week ultimatum that was later extended for three weeks to enable them engage with all stakeholders. After then, it convened to reassess the extent of implementation of its demands.
At the recent meeting, the NEC condemned the failure of the Federal Government to fulfil its promises, noting with dismay that a substantial number of resident doctors remain unpaid for their 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund.
It also condemned the government’s failure to pay the outstanding five months’ arrears arising from the 25/35 percent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review, as well as other longstanding salary arrears.
The communiqué read, “The E-NEC expressed displeasure over the unjust downgrading of the membership certificates of the West African Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, as well as the persistent non-issuance of membership certificates by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.
“The E-NEC condemned in strong terms, the failure of the Kaduna State Government to honour its commitments to members under ARD Kaduna and Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, despite earlier agreements and signed Memoranda of Understanding.
“The E-NEC condemned the failure of the Oyo State Government to address the challenges faced by members of ARD LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho, despite an ongoing indefinite strike action in the hospital.”
The association, however, commended state governors who it said have demonstrated commitment to the welfare of doctors by paying the 2025 MRTF, but stressed that if their demands are not met by September 10, 2025, they would embark on a nationwide strike.
The demands of the council include immediate payment of the outstanding 2025 MRTF to all eligible resident doctors by the Federal Government, payment of specialist allowances to all doctors without further delay, given their role in delivering specialist medical care across the nation; as well as the settlement of the outstanding five months’ arrears of CONMESS, alongside other longstanding salary arrears.
Others include that the MDCN should immediately restore the recognition of the West African postgraduate membership certificates to their rightful status and calls on the NPMCN to commence without delay the issuance of membership certificates to all deserving candidates, in line with international best practices.
NARD is also demanding immediate implementation of the 2024 CONMESS and resolution of all outstanding welfare concerns in Kaduna State. It also wants immediate resolve of the welfare concerns of resident doctors under the employment of the state government, particularly those at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho, by the Oyo State Governor, His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde.
The union further urged state governors to prioritise the welfare of doctors in their state-owned hospitals and training institutions, ensure the timely payment of MRTF to their resident doctors, and take proactive steps to curb emigration while maintaining industrial harmony.
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