Monday, September 28, 2026 - The National Association of Resident Doctors has given the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to resolve outstanding welfare and professional issues affecting its members, warning that failure to do so could trigger industrial action.
The ultimatum is contained in resolutions the association
reached at its 46th Annual General Meeting on Sunday in Calabar, Cross River
State.
The NARD National President, Dr Ogar Idoko, read the
resolutions.
The resident doctors expressed concern over the slow pace of
implementation of agreements reached between the association and the Federal
Government, saying prolonged delays had become unacceptable.
They demanded immediate action on outstanding issues
relating to remuneration, career progression, professional allowances,
excessive workload, manpower shortages and the general welfare of resident
doctors.
The association called for “the immediate implementation of
agreements reached with the Federal Government, particularly those relating to
improved conditions of service and professional development.”
It also urged “the government to conclude the review of
existing remuneration and professional salary structures for doctors, saying
the current framework no longer adequately reflected prevailing economic
realities.”
The association demanded appropriate compensation for excess
workload arising from manpower shortages in hospitals, noting that resident
doctors were increasingly carrying additional responsibilities.
It called for standardised templates for compensation for
excess workload and reliable data to justify payments to doctors performing
duties beyond their normal responsibilities.
The association also expressed concern over attacks on
health workers and called for the full implementation of policies and
anti-assault measures designed to protect doctors and other medical personnel
in hospitals.
It further raised concern over the continuing migration of
doctors and other health professionals from Nigeria, saying the development had
worsened manpower shortages and increased the workload on doctors who remained
in the country.
NARD, therefore, urged the Federal Ministry of Health and
Social Welfare to urgently address the factors responsible for the continued
migration of medical professionals.
The association also called on state governments to
prioritise the welfare of doctors and other health workers employed by their
respective institutions and ensure the implementation of relevant welfare
policies.
It demanded improved infrastructure, adequate medical
equipment and better working conditions in health institutions to enhance
patient safety and improve healthcare delivery.
The resolution urged the National Assembly to strengthen
budgetary provisions for healthcare, stressing that adequate funding remained
critical to addressing challenges in the sector.
The association demanded the prompt payment of salaries and
other entitlements owed to house officers and called for their inclusion in
relevant welfare arrangements.
On electronic clocking systems
in hospitals, NARD said it was not opposed to their deployment, provided they
were properly implemented and used to support accurate data management rather
than punish medical personnel.
It observed that several agreements and commitments reached
with the Federal Government had remained unresolved despite repeated meetings
and assurances.
The association, therefore, urged the government to use the
two-week window to address the outstanding issues and avert a breakdown of
industrial harmony in the health sector.
The resident doctors said resolving the disputes would
improve their welfare, reduce burnout and ultimately enhance the quality of
healthcare available to Nigerians.
The association also elected new national officers, with Dr
Idoko emerging as president, alongside other members of the National Executive
Council.
It urged the new leadership to pursue the implementation of
the resolutions and sustain engagement with the government towards achieving
improved conditions of service for resident doctors.
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