By Muhammad Amaan
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has on Sunday suspended its warning strike, two days after it began.
The doctors had downed tools Friday morning but suspended the action on Saturday night, with members directed to resume work today (Sunday).
The President of the association, Dr Tope Osundara, disclosed this in a WhatsApp message sent to our correspondent on Saturday night.
He said, “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.”
However, Dr Osundara did not provide details of which demands had been met.
The strike had disrupted services in public hospitals across the country. Consultants and other categories of health workers were left to manage the heavy caseload, leading to overstretched services, while patients faced delays.
The doctors had embarked on the strike to press home their demands, which include 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 review; and other long-standing salary backlogs.
They also demanded the payment of the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears; prompt disbursement of specialist allowances; and restoration of the recognition of the West African postgraduate membership certificates by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
In addition, they called on the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to issue membership certificates to all deserving candidates, implement the 2024 Consolidated Medical Salary Structure and resolve outstanding welfare issues in Kaduna State.
They also urged addressing the plight of resident doctors at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
