- CCMDFTH, led by Prof. Saad Ahmed, appeals to JOHESU to suspend its ongoing strike and to NARD to reconsider its planned action.
- Committee warns that industrial actions threaten patient lives and national interest.
- CMDs and MDs pledge continued support for dialogue and industrial harmony in the health sector.
The Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria (CCMDFTH), led by its Chairman, Prof. Saad Ahmed, has issued a strong appeal to health workers’ unions to return to dialogue and avert prolonged disruptions in federal tertiary healthcare services across the country.
Eko Hot Blog reports that in a press statement signed by Prof. Saad Ahmed (Chairman), Dr. Pokop Bupwatda (Secretary), and Dr. Philip Ugbodaga (Public Relations Officer), the Committee expressed deep concern over the ongoing industrial action by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the notice by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) indicating its intention to resume a suspended strike from January 12, 2026.
The statement followed the Committee’s 112th Regular Meeting and Annual General Meeting held in December 2025 at the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi.
The Committee emphasized that while the welfare concerns of health workers are legitimate, extended strikes pose grave risks to patients who depend on tertiary hospitals for specialized and life-saving care.
According to the Committee, “sustainable healthcare delivery can only be achieved through cooperation, mutual respect and shared commitment to patient welfare.”
It further described JOHESU and NARD as “indispensable partners in the healthcare system,” acknowledging their dedication and resilience in sustaining services under challenging conditions.
Warning about the impact of service disruptions, the CMDs and MDs stated that “prolonged disruptions in tertiary health institutions inevitably impose severe hardship on patients, many of whom have no alternative source of specialized care.”
The Committee, which includes senior medical leaders such as Prof. Azubuike Onyebuchi (Vice Chairman), Dr. Aisha Shehu Adamu (Treasurer), and representatives of teaching hospitals, federal medical centres, and specialty hospitals nationwide, urged both unions to allow ongoing engagements with government to mature.
It stressed that no contingency arrangement can replace the full presence and expertise of healthcare professionals.
Reaffirming its readiness to support peaceful resolution, the Committee stated that “with patience, empathy, and shared responsibility, the outstanding issues can be resolved without further compromising lives or public confidence in the health system.”
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