The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has declared that its members will not resume work until the Federal Government fully meets all 19 of their demands.
NARD President, Dr. Muhammad Suleiman, stated this on Monday in Abuja while addressing journalists. He noted that none of the issues that led to the ongoing nationwide strike had received serious or adequate attention from the government.
Resident doctors had embarked on a total, indefinite strike on November 1, following the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum earlier issued to the Federal Government to address their long-standing welfare concerns.
Suleiman was reacting to a statement from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, signed by Mr. Alaba Balogun, which announced plans to release ₦11.9 billion for arrears and other welfare packages for doctors.
According to the ministry, working in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance, ₦21.3 billion was transferred to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) account for health workers, with ₦11.9 billion and ₦10.6 billion earmarked for additional payments.
The ministry further explained that the government was addressing workforce shortages by recruiting more healthcare professionals and engaging with unions, including NARD, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
However, Suleiman said the association was unaware of any ₦11.9 billion release, adding that the entire health sector — not just resident doctors — was receiving 25 to 35 per cent arrears payments.
He described the government’s reported progress as inadequate, stating, “One or two out of 19 is a very poor performance score.”
Suleiman reiterated that resident doctors would remain on strike until all their demands were fully met by the Federal Government.
