Dare Babalola
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued the Federal Government a fresh 24-hour ultimatum to determine its next line of action.
Speaking to newsmen on Thursday, the President of NARD, Dr. Tope Osundara, said the association acknowledged the government’s promise to address their concerns but insisted on immediate action.
He said their decision was reached after a six-hour virtual meeting held by the association’s National on Wednesday.
The doctors are demanding immediate payment of the outstanding 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, settlement of five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure review, and other long-standing salary backlogs.
Others are the payment of the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears, prompt disbursement of specialist allowances, and restoration of the recognition of the West African postgraduate membership certificates.
They also called on the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to issue membership certificates to all deserving candidates, implement the 2024 CONMESS, resolve outstanding welfare issues in Kaduna State, and address the plight of resident doctors at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.
“The Federal Government called us yesterday (Wednesday) and promised to address our concerns.
“After a six-hour deliberation, we decided to give the government the next 24 hours to ensure the disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund to beneficiaries, for the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to upgrade our membership certificates, and to attend to our other demands.
“If there is no payment by today (Thursday), then tomorrow (Friday), we will start the strike immediately.”
The association had earlier issued a 10-day ultimatum to relevant government agencies, warning that members would embark on a nationwide strike if their demands were not met
This comes amid the strike by resident doctors in Abuja and Oyo State.
Resident doctors, who constitute the majority of the medical workforce in teaching and specialist hospitals, have repeatedly gone on strike in recent years over unpaid wages, poor welfare, and inadequate working conditions.
