Health

NARD Protests Unpaid Allowances, Arrears With Nationwide Strike

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has embarked on a five-day warning strike following the expiration of its ultimatum to the Federal Government over unpaid allowances, salary arrears, and unresolved welfare demands.

In a statement issued on Friday by its Secretary-General, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku, the association confirmed that the industrial action commenced at 8:00 a.m.

The strike, NARD said, was necessitated by the government’s failure to implement agreements despite several deadlines and extensions. Among the grievances are the non-release of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, the payment of five months’ arrears under the revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, and outstanding hazard and specialist allowances.

The decision was reached at an Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held virtually on Thursday after a 21-day ultimatum, issued in July and later extended by 10 days, lapsed on September 10. A final 24-hour grace period expired on September 11 without resolution.

Resident doctors provide the majority of clinical services in public hospitals across the country. Their withdrawal of services is expected to cause significant disruption in healthcare delivery, leaving patients in federal and state facilities stranded.

NARD’s leadership directed its members nationwide to comply with the strike directive, adding that further updates would be communicated as events unfold.

Olayinka Babatunde