Resident Doctors Suspend Warning Strike After Two Days

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its warning strike just two days after it began, directing members to resume duties on Sunday.

The strike, which started on Friday morning, had disrupted services in public hospitals across the country, leaving consultants and other health workers to manage the surge in patients. The situation led to overstretched facilities and significant delays in treatment.

NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara, confirmed the suspension in a WhatsApp message on Saturday night. He said some of the association’s demands had been addressed while the government pledged to resolve the others.

“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,” Osundara said.

The association had embarked on the strike to demand 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 (CONMESS) review, and clearance of long-standing salary backlogs.

Other demands include 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.

NARD also urged the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to issue membership certificates to qualified candidates, implement the 2024 CONMESS, resolve welfare issues in Kaduna State, and address the concerns of resident doctors at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.

While Osundara did not specify which demands had already been met, he stressed that the suspension was a demonstration of goodwill toward patients across the country.