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Resident doctors suspend two-day strike, resume duties Sunday.
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NARD says some demands met, others awaiting government action.
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Doctors warn strike may resume if promises are not fulfilled.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its nationwide warning strike, just two days after it commenced. The association announced on Saturday night that its members would return to work on Sunday, following initial steps by the government to address some of their demands.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara, confirmed the development in a communique released to journalists on Sunday morning. He explained that while not all issues had been resolved, the decision was taken as a sign of goodwill to ease the burden on Nigerians who had been denied medical care.
“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 stated.
The strike, which began on Friday, had disrupted services across many public hospitals nationwide. With resident doctors absent, consultants and other healthcare workers struggled to manage heavy patient loads, leading to delays in treatment and overwhelming pressure on facilities. Many patients were unable to access timely care.
The resident doctors had embarked on the action to push for several unresolved welfare and funding issues. These included the 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, and payment of the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears.
Other demands covered prompt disbursement of specialist allowances, restoration of recognition of the West African Postgraduate Membership Certificates by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), and issuance of membership certificates to deserving candidates by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria. The doctors also demanded full implementation of the 2024 CONMESS structure, resolution of welfare issues in Kaduna State, and urgent attention to the plight of resident doctors at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.
NARD stressed that although the strike had been suspended, it would closely monitor the government’s response to ensure that the commitments were fulfilled. The association warned that failure to act swiftly could trigger another round of industrial action.
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