The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government of Nigeria, demanding the immediate resolution of lingering welfare and professional disputes. The medical body expressed frustration over the government's slow implementation of previous agreements. Dr. Ogar Emmanuel Idoko, the newly elected NARD National President, read the meeting's resolutions at the 46th Annual General Meeting in Calabar, Cross River State. The association warned of a nationwide industrial action if demands are not met.
NARD is demanding the immediate execution of all pacts designed to improve service conditions, including the review of current professional salary structures. The existing remuneration framework is said to fall drastically short of today's economic realities. The doctors also called for standardized compensation templates and reliable data to properly remunerate personnel taking on extra responsibilities, citing severe staff shortages across federal hospitals.
Workplace safety and brain drain emerged as critical concerns during the discussions. The association raised serious alarms about physical attacks on health workers and called for the strict enforcement of anti-assault policies to protect medical personnel in hospitals. The ongoing mass exodus of medical professionals has worsened staffing shortages, and NARD urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to tackle the root causes of this brain drain immediately.
The medical body extended its demands to state governments, urging them to prioritize health workers' welfare. NARD advocated for upgraded hospital infrastructure, adequate medical equipment, and better working environments to improve overall patient care. The association also tasked the National Assembly with increasing the healthcare budget, stressing that proper funding remains essential for solving the sector's deep-rooted problems.
NARD demanded the prompt payment of all outstanding salaries and entitlements owed to house officers and clarified its stance on electronic clocking systems in public hospitals. The group is not opposed to the technology, provided hospital management uses it strictly for accurate data collection rather than as a tool to punish staff. The resident doctors maintained that resolving these disputes within the two-week window is crucial to reducing physician burnout and improving staff welfare.
The association's new leadership, elected during the Calabar conference, now carries a clear mandate to push the government for immediate action and avert a looming strike. Dr. Ogar Emmanuel Idoko emerged as the new National President, serving alongside a newly constituted National Executive Council. The leadership will lead the critical phase of negotiations with the government.
A nationwide strike by resident doctors would severely disrupt Nigeria's public health sector. The government is expected to respond to the ultimatum within two weeks, failing which the association may trigger industrial action. The situation remains a critical concern for the country's healthcare system, with patients and healthcare providers eagerly awaiting a resolution.
Key points
- Resident doctors in Nigeria have given the government a two-week ultimatum to meet their demands on welfare and professional issues.
- The demands include the review of current professional salary structures and the implementation of pacts designed to improve service conditions.
- A nationwide strike by resident doctors would severely disrupt Nigeria's public health sector.
