The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has directed its members to withdraw services from public hospitals nationwide from Friday.
The action followed the expiration of a 24-hour ultimatum issued to the Federal Government to meet its outstanding demands. The ultimatum came after an earlier 10-day deadline, which lapsed on 10 September, without resolution.
On 1 September, NARD had warned it would embark on an indefinite strike if the government failed to address the issues within 10 days.
Resident doctors, who constitute the majority of the medical workforce in teaching and specialist hospitals, have repeatedly gone on strike in recent years over unpaid wages, poor welfare, and inadequate working conditions.
Daily Trust on Thursday that the fresh ultimatum was the outcome of a six-hour virtual meeting of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) held on Wednesday.
Daily Trust reports that the doctors are demanding 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 review, and other long-standing salary backlogs.
Others are the payment of the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears, prompt disbursement of specialist allowances, and restoration of the recognition of the West African postgraduate membership certificates.