The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, has confirmed full compliance with the indefinite strike declared by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
The President of the association, Dr. Toba Babarinsa, announced this during a news conference on Thursday in Lagos.
NARD had, on October 27, declared a nationwide indefinite strike to commence on November 1, citing the federal government’s failure to address long-standing demands. The decision followed an Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held virtually on October 25, and was contained in a communiqué signed by NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman.
The latest action comes after a five-day warning strike held on September 12, which was suspended two days later, with the government given a two-week ultimatum that was later extended by 30 days.
Dr. Babarinsa said the grace period had since expired, stressing the need for the government to demonstrate genuine commitment to addressing the concerns of resident doctors across the country.
“The demands of doctors are long overdue. We believe that promptly addressing the most pressing issues could have averted this strike,” he said.
He explained that the doctors’ demands focused mainly on improving their welfare and working conditions to enhance productivity and service delivery.
“Even regular salary payments are inconsistent. For instance, our September salary was paid on October 7. As we speak, we have not received our October salary, and no one can say when it will be paid,” he lamented.
“Any doctor whose welfare is neglected becomes a potential risk to patients. For doctors to function optimally, their physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being must be balanced.”
According to him, NARD’s strike seeks to press home 19 key demands, including:
- Immediate payment of outstanding 25–35 per cent CONMESS salary arrears and other withheld allowances.
- Reinstatement of five resident doctors sacked by the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja.
- Establishment of a humane and internationally aligned working-hours policy to safeguard doctors and patients.
- Urgent recruitment of additional medical personnel through full implementation of the one-for-one replacement policy to reduce excessive workload.
- Upgrade of dilapidated facilities and provision of modern medical equipment in hospitals nationwide.
Other demands include the prompt payment of specialist allowances, correction of entry-level placements for house officers, and the full inclusion of all junior doctors in the public service salary structure.
Dr. Babarinsa urged the federal government to take decisive steps toward resolving the impasse to prevent further disruptions to healthcare delivery across the country.
