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The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a renewed ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the comprehensive enforcement of previously agreed terms outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Failure to comply fully may trigger another nationwide strike by resident doctors.
Ongoing Challenges Plaguing Resident Doctors
Following an Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting, NARD expressed frustration over the persistent neglect of critical issues affecting both medical practitioners and the public healthcare infrastructure. Despite numerous assurances, many core problems remain unaddressed, including:
- Accumulated unpaid salaries and allowances
- Severe understaffing leading to excessive workloads for doctors
- Delays in pension disbursements and special entitlements
- Decrepit hospital facilities and obsolete medical equipment
- Unreliable electricity supply in teaching hospitals
The association emphasized that the MoU, designed to tackle these concerns, has seen only partial execution, particularly regarding enhancements in welfare and working conditions for resident doctors.
Incremental Advances Amidst Significant Shortcomings
While acknowledging some progress, such as:
- Partial clearance of outstanding salary arrears
- Initiation of payments for the 2024 accoutrement allowance
- Ongoing negotiations concerning specialist allowances and appropriate entry-level placements
NARD criticized the sluggish implementation pace and the absence of definitive deadlines for fulfilling these commitments. The association also highlighted unresolved cases of resident doctors who were disengaged from federal hospitals, urging immediate resolution.
Renewed Calls with Firm Deadlines
In its latest statement, NARD outlined explicit demands accompanied by clear timelines, including:
- Complete enforcement of the existing MoU with the government
- Prompt settlement of all outstanding salary and allowance arrears for resident doctors across affected institutions
- Accurate placement of newly recruited resident doctors at their rightful grade levels
- Implementation of a one-for-one replacement policy to address staffing shortages
- Establishment of a centralized taskforce to develop national guidelines on duty hours, call schedules, and locum arrangements
The association warned that failure to meet these demands within the stipulated timeframe will compel them to recommence industrial action.
Strike Postponed, Not Rescinded
NARD clarified that previous strikes were merely suspended to allow the government an opportunity to act, not because the underlying issues had been resolved. The association stressed that the dwindling patience of its members, coupled with ongoing delays, is detrimental to both healthcare workers and patients.
Resident doctors appealed to the President, relevant ministries, the National Assembly, and other stakeholders to ensure that current negotiations yield tangible results rather than empty promises.
Strained Healthcare System Faces Growing Risks
The association reminded the government that resident doctors are the cornerstone of service delivery in teaching hospitals and numerous federal and state tertiary healthcare centers. Their withdrawal leads to clinic closures, postponed surgeries, and patients left without care.
With public trust in Nigeria’s healthcare system waning and the ongoing exodus of medical professionals intensifying, NARD cautioned that inaction could exacerbate the crisis further.
As the countdown on this latest ultimatum begins, the nation watches closely to see if the government will honor its commitments and avert another debilitating shutdown of public health services.
