Resident Doctors Announce Nationwide Strike Over Poor Conditions

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced plans to shut down public hospitals nationwide starting Thursday.

Speaking with newsmen on Wednesday, the President of the association, Dr Osundara Zenith, said the decision would be taken at a National Executive Council meeting following unmet demands by the federal government.

He explained that the strike stems from poor working conditions, shortage of manpower, poor remuneration, downgrading of certificates, non-payment of salary arrears and allowances as well as the delay in disbursing the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) for over 2,000 resident doctors across the country.

Dr Zenith added that the action is also in solidarity with resident doctors in Abuja and Oyo State who are currently on strike over similar issues.

“Our members face harsh working conditions. There is a shortage of manpower, downgrading of certificates, unpaid salary arrears and allowances, and delay in the MRTF. We are also calling on the Oyo State government to address the demands of their resident doctors who remain on strike. Similarly, FCT resident doctors are on strike over the same issues. Those are the reasons we are going on strike,” he said.

Earlier in the week, the Association of Resident Doctors at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA) commenced a seven-day warning strike, shutting down public hospitals in Abuja.

The planned nationwide strike by NARD, if declared, is expected to paralyse healthcare services across Nigeria unless urgent action is taken by the government.