As the strike by members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) enters its fifth day, the Federal Government has urged the doctors to resume duties.
Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, made the appeal on Wednesday at the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Healthcare and Medical Expo 2.0, themed “Reversing Medical Tourism: Africans Investing in Africa.”
Salako said the Federal Government is actively addressing NARD’s 19-point demands, assuring that steps are being taken to reach an amicable resolution.
“I want to appeal and assure us that the 19-point demands of NARD are being addressed one by one. Some are within our immediate authority, and we are taking action,” he said.
The minister explained that other demands beyond the Health Ministry’s mandate are being escalated to the relevant government agencies to ensure comprehensive and lasting solutions. He acknowledged that bureaucratic processes might slow implementation but emphasized that delays are not due to lack of commitment to doctors’ welfare or the healthcare system.
Salako added that discussions with NARD leadership will continue, expressing optimism that the upcoming meeting would end the strike.
NARD members began an indefinite, total, and comprehensive strike on Saturday after their 30-day ultimatum to the government expired.
Also speaking, Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, appealed to the striking doctors to prioritize patients’ welfare and resume work while dialogue continues.
“I join others in appealing to our resident doctors to call off the strike and urge essential service officials to avoid strikes as a negotiation tool,” Olowolafe said. “Every day of the strike delays surgeries, postpones diagnoses, and weakens public trust in the healthcare system. I urge the doctors to choose dialogue without prejudice.”
NARD’s 19-point demands include payment of outstanding 25–35 percent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) arrears, the 2024 accoutrement allowance, urgent infrastructure upgrades, maintenance of medical equipment nationwide, payment of promotion arrears, reversal of consultant cadres for non-medical personnel, and the abolition of doctors’ casualisation.
