Resident Doctors To Down Tools Nov 1 — NARD Gives FG Strike Notice After Ultimatum Lapses

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced that its members will commence an indefinite nationwide strike from November 1, following what it described as the failure of the Federal Government to meet its long-standing demands.

The resolution came after a five-hour emergency meeting of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) held on Saturday.

In a statement issued yesterday, NARD President, Mohammad Suleiman, said the industrial action became inevitable after the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum earlier issued to the government.

Among other things, the resident doctors are demanding a 200 per cent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), full implementation of new allowances proposed since July 2022, immediate recruitment of more clinical personnel and removal of hurdles delaying replacement of exiting doctors.

“The NEC has marshalled minimum demands, strike-monitoring directives and a ‘no work, no pay / no pay, no work’ resolution for the successful execution of this action,” the statement said.

Suleiman added that the National Officers’ Committee (NOC) has been mandated to ensure full compliance with the directive across all centres while heads of NARD chapters are to immediately brief their members at emergency congresses.

The NARD President also accused unnamed government and non-government actors of what he called “evil and exploitative plans” against doctors, vowing that the union would “collectively resist” such moves.

He advised members to use the days leading to November 1 to properly hand over patients under their care, sensitise the public and engage community and religious leaders ahead of the nationwide shutdown.