Doctors Suspend Strike, To Review Action September 26

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its ongoing five-day warning strike after just two days, giving the Federal Government a two-week grace period to resolve outstanding welfare concerns.

According to a report by PUNCH, the association stated that it would reconvene on September 26 during its Annual General Meeting to decide whether to resume the industrial action if the government fails to meet their demands.

NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara, explained that the decision was made as a gesture of goodwill to Nigerians and to allow the government sufficient time to act.

“It is because we want the government, having negotiated with us, to give them ample time to perfect their plans in addressing all the other concerns,” Osundara told our correspondent on Sunday.

“Our members felt that since we’ve also extended a friendly hand, we should extend a hand of goodwill, especially to the Nigerian populace, who are grappling with the harsh economic conditions together with the challenges they face.”

He emphasized that doctors were not backing down on their demands but were only suspending their action temporarily.

“We just want to give a human face and also extend this olive branch to the government. And we do hope that within this period of two weeks, they will be able to attend to everything contained in our list of demands,” he said.

The resident doctors had declared the strike after a series of ultimatums, including a 21-day notice in July, a 10-day extension, and a final 24-hour deadline that elapsed on September 10.

Their demands cover outstanding arrears, allowances, specialist benefits, recognition of postgraduate certificates, and full implementation of the revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, among other issues affecting their welfare across the country.

So far, according to Osundara, the government has only addressed the payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund to members previously omitted from the scheme.

“That’s the only thing the government has done for now. Aside from the MRTF, they’ve not done anything else. We still have unpaid arrears, and we have a shortage of manpower,” he said.

He also criticized delays in the release of a corrected circular from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.

“Doctors have been shortchanged for over a decade, and it is high time they corrected this immediately,” he added.

The NARD president warned that if the government fails to meet their expectations before the September 26 review, the association may have no choice but to escalate its action.

“We would be having our Annual General Meeting, which is the highest decision-making body of the association, within this period. So by September 26, we would know the next line of action,” he stated.

Osundara also clarified that the national suspension does not apply to doctors at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, who are on a separate strike. He explained that the Oyo State Government has been given 15 days to meet their demands, failing which doctors across the state would be directed to shut down services.

ate would be directed to shut down services.