The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, has declared its full support for the nationwide indefinite strike announced by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), set to begin next week.
The strike follows what NARD described as the Federal Government’s continued failure to honour key welfare and training agreements reached with resident doctors.
The decision was taken after an Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting of NARD held virtually to assess the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Federal Ministries of Health and Labour.
Briefing journalists in Sokoto, the ARD, UDUTH, said the review revealed “persistent failures” by the government to fulfil critical commitments.
According to the association, unresolved issues include the non-reinstatement of five disengaged resident doctors of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, non-payment of accumulated promotion and salary arrears, and the partial implementation of the Professional Allowance Table.
Other concerns highlighted by the council include the non-payment of Specialist Allowance to eligible doctors, lack of clarity on skipping and entry-level placement, delays in house officers’ salaries and arrears, re-categorisation of Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) certificates, and delays in issuing postgraduate training certificates.
The E-NEC also raised alarm over the poor state of hospital infrastructure, obsolete medical equipment, the absence of a functional collective bargaining process, unpaid CONMESS 25 and 35 per cent arrears, and the inactivity of the Special Pension Benefits Committee.
In response, NARD demanded the immediate reinstatement of the affected Lokoja doctors, payment of all outstanding arrears, full implementation of allowances, resolution of training certification challenges, and urgent intervention in tertiary health facilities across the country.
“With the government failing to demonstrate concrete commitment, the council resolved to commence a total, comprehensive and indefinite withdrawal of services. communiqué stated.
It further directed resident doctors in 91 tertiary institutions nationwide to withdraw their services completely and begin coordinated peaceful protests on the same day.
The President of ARD, UDUTH, Dr Mujitaba Umar, described the decision as “difficult but unavoidable.”
“Prolonged neglect of agreements is undermining both doctors’ welfare and public healthcare delivery,” Umar said.
Also speaking, the chapter’s General Secretary, Dr Muhammad Abdulrahman Hassan, urged the Federal Government to act swiftly to avert a healthcare crisis.
“The government must respond urgently in the interest of the Nigerian populace and the survival of the healthcare system,” Hassan said.
