The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, on Saturday joined the nationwide strike declared by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
NARD had earlier announced that its members would embark on an indefinite nationwide strike effective November 1, citing the Federal Government’s failure to address its long-standing demands.
The association is demanding a 200 per cent increase in the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), full implementation of new allowances proposed since July 2022, and the immediate recruitment of clinical staff. It has also called for the removal of bureaucratic bottlenecks delaying the replacement of doctors who have exited the system, among other issues.
President of the UCH ARD, Dr. Gboyega Ajibola, told reporters that all resident doctors, medical officers, and house officers at the hospital were in full compliance with the strike directive.
“At 12 midnight today, we fully complied with the directive.
If you enter UCH now, you will notice that our members are not working as directed by NARD.
The strike is total and comprehensive; no corridor of emergency will be left open,” Ajibola said.
He noted that as a founding member of NARD, UCH maintains a leadership role within the association, adding that all members unanimously agreed to commence the industrial action.
On the likely impact of the strike, Ajibola said patients would not have access to specialist care during the period, as UCH provides intensive and multidisciplinary management that is difficult to find in the private sector.
“When patients go to private hospitals, the care they receive is usually more expensive than what applies in government facilities.
Although consultants are still working, the ARD constitutes about 80 per cent of the medical workforce at UCH.
So, the rate of admissions, surgeries, and clinic attendance will significantly reduce,” he explained.
Ajibola stressed that the strike was not politically motivated nor a confrontation with the government, but rather a call for systemic reform in the health sector.
“This is not a fight between NARD and the Federal Government.
It’s a struggle for a functional, just, strong, and resilient healthcare system — one that values both healthcare providers and patients,” he said.
He appealed to stakeholders and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene and support efforts to build a fair and effective healthcare system.
“Every doctor is eager to return to work and provide care to patients, but we need a system that works.
This is not a fight against Nigerians; we are advocating for better healthcare delivery.
We urge our members to remain calm and hopeful that the government will respond in good time,” Ajibola added.
