Resident Doctors Call Off Two-Day Warning Strike

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has called off its nationwide warning strike. This decision comes just two days after the strike commenced, initiated by members to push for their demands.

The doctors, who began the action on Friday morning, announced their suspension on Saturday night and directed members to resume work today (Sunday).

The President of the association, Dr. Tope Osundara, confirmed the decision in a communique made available to journalists on Sunday morning.

“Some of our demands have been met. The government has promised to look into other issues. Strike suspended; resumption to work tomorrow (today). We did this as a sign of goodwill and to assist Nigerians who are seeking healthcare in our various facilities,” the communique obtained by the PUNCH stated.

However, Osundara did not provide details of the specific demands that had been addressed as of the time of filing this report.

The strike had paralysed services in many public hospitals nationwide.

With resident doctors absent, consultants and other categories of healthcare workers were forced to manage heavy caseloads, which stretched facilities and led to delays for patients.

Health workers described the period as “overwhelming,” with many Nigerians unable to access timely medical care.

Resident doctors had embarked on the strike to push for several unresolved welfare and funding issues, including:

• Immediate payment of the outstanding 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund.
• Settlement of five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review.
• Payment of the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears.
• Prompt disbursement of specialist allowances.
• Restoration of the recognition of the West African Postgraduate Membership Certificates by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

In addition, the association demanded that the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria issue membership certificates to all deserving candidates, implement the 2024 CONMESS structure, resolve welfare issues affecting doctors in Kaduna State, and address the plight of resident doctors at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.

Although the strike has been suspended, NARD said it would continue to monitor the government’s response to its demands.

The association maintained that while the suspension was a gesture of goodwill, it expected the authorities to act swiftly to avert another round of industrial action.