Tension Rises: NARD Gives Government 28 Days To Act Or Risk Healthcare Shutdown

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has given the federal government a four-week deadline to address all outstanding demands. However, the association did not specify what actions would be taken if the government fails to meet this timeline.

This decision was announced in a communiqué following NARD’s May Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) and Scientific Conference, held from Monday, May 26 to Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Villa Hotel in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Themed “The Medical Profession: Policies, Politics, and Future Prospects,” the meeting featured a keynote speech by Dr. Philip Ugbodaga, Medical Director of the National Orthopaedic Hospital in Benin City, Edo State.

According to the communiqué, “The OGM grants the National Officers’ Committee the next four weeks to continue discussions with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the implementation of the outlined demands, after which the NEC will reassess the situation.”

Key demands from NARD include:

• Immediate payment of arrears relating to the 25/35% upward revision of the CONMESS salary structure and other unpaid salaries.

• Full implementation of consequential adjustments to the 2019 and 2024 minimum wage on basic salaries and allowances, including arrears.

• Accelerated release of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).

• Settlement of the 2023/2024 Accoutrement Allowance arrears by the federal government and Chief Medical Directors (CMDs).

• Inclusion of resident doctors in specialist allowance payments.

• Regularisation and full remuneration for locum doctors.

• Prompt resolution of welfare challenges facing doctors at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC).

• Engagement with the Federal Ministry of Health to promote sustainable employment practices aimed at curbing brain drain.

• Enhanced welfare packages for doctors and healthcare workers in state hospitals and training institutions.

The statement, signed by Dr. Osundara Tope (President), Dr. Odunbaku Kazeem Oluwasola (Secretary-General), and Dr. Amobi Omoha (Public and Social Secretary), expressed frustration over the persistent underpayment of doctors spanning 16 years, in violation of the 2009 Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The communiqué also criticised the exclusion of resident doctors from specialist allowances and highlighted the acute shortage of medical personnel in many hospitals.

“The OGM strongly condemns the ongoing casualisation and inadequate compensation of doctors by the chief executives of tertiary hospitals,” the statement declared.

NARD also drew attention to the unresolved welfare issues at OAUTHC, including unpaid March 2024 salaries and arrears of 7 to 14 months owed to residents and medical officers.

Despite these concerns, the association acknowledged the efforts of the federal government, the Federal Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, IPPIS, the Accountant-General of the Federation, and the Registrar of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria in addressing the MRTF backlog from 2022 to 2024. It also commended progress made in processing the 2025 MRTF.