Resident doctors suspend warning strike after two days, resume work nationwide

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its nationwide warning strike just two days after it commenced, bringing temporary relief to the country’s overstretched public health sector.

The strike, which commenced on Friday, was suspended on Saturday night, with members directed to resume duties on Sunday.

President of the association, Dr. Tope Osundara, confirmed the development in a message on Saturday night.

“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,” he said.

As of the time of filing this report, details of the specific demands met had not been disclosed.

The strike had caused service disruptions in public hospitals nationwide, leaving consultants and other categories of health workers to manage increased workloads, resulting in delays for patients.

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NARD had embarked on the industrial action to press home several demands, including immediate payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, settlement of five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review, and clearance of longstanding salary backlogs.

Other demands include payment of the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears, prompt disbursement of specialist allowances, and restoration of the recognition of West African postgraduate membership certificates by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.

The association also called on the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to issue membership certificates to all qualified candidates, implement the 2024 CONMESS, resolve outstanding welfare issues in Kaduna State, and address the condition of resident doctors at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.

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