Healthcare services across Nigeria face renewed disruption as the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has launched an indefinite strike to press for long-standing demands over welfare and working conditions.
NARD President, Dr. Muhammad Suleiman, confirmed the commencement of the industrial action in a statement issued on Saturday, after the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) held a marathon emergency meeting last week.
Suleiman said the strike became unavoidable due to the Federal Government’s repeated failure to honour agreements previously reached with the association, despite multiple negotiations and extensions granted to resolve issues.
Resident doctors are demanding improved remuneration, including a 200 percent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), settlement of outstanding salary arrears, and immediate recruitment of additional healthcare personnel. They also want the government to provide critical medical equipment and eliminate bureaucratic delays hindering the replacement of departing clinicians.
The association argues that current conditions — marked by overwhelming workloads, insufficient infrastructure, and low morale — are undermining the quality of healthcare available to Nigerians.
“Our concerns are rooted in patriotism and the urgent need to rescue Nigeria’s health system,” Suleiman stated. “A doctor who is exhausted, poorly paid, and working in inadequately equipped facilities cannot deliver the level of care patients deserve.”
He warned that continued neglect of the welfare of resident doctors would worsen the country’s brain drain, ultimately leaving patients to bear the brunt of a weakened health sector.
While acknowledging that the decision to shut down services would inconvenience the public, NARD urged Nigerians and key stakeholders — including civil society, labour unions, and religious leaders — to advocate for government intervention that prioritises a stronger healthcare system.
The association recently issued a 30-day ultimatum to the government to act on unresolved demands, but says no meaningful progress has been made.