The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has outlined 19 demands, describing them as the minimum conditions required to prevent a total and indefinite nationwide strike scheduled to begin on Saturday.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, NARD President Dr. Muhammad Suleiman stated that the decision followed the expiration of the association’s 30-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, as well as the government’s continued failure to address long-standing welfare and remuneration issues.
Suleiman lamented that the association had shown patience for too long despite persistent inaction by the authorities, adding that doctors across the country had already begun ward rounds and patient handovers in preparation for the planned industrial action.
He explained that the outstanding payments and welfare concerns affected not only resident doctors but also other health professionals and administrative staff.
According to him, the government owes an estimated ₦38 billion in accumulated allowances, some dating back more than ten years, while the basic salary of doctors has not been reviewed in 16 years.
Suleiman recalled that NARD had earlier suspended a five-day warning strike in September and extended its ultimatum by another 30 days to give the government more time to respond, but no tangible action had been taken.
He said the government had failed to demonstrate the political will necessary to address the legitimate concerns of Nigerian doctors.
The NARD president said the association’s 19-point demand represents the minimum level of action expected from the government to prevent the collapse of the country’s public health system.
He explained that the doctors are demanding the immediate payment of outstanding 25 to 35 percent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) arrears and the 2024 accoutrement allowance, alongside other pending entitlements owed to health workers.
The association also wants the immediate reinstatement of five resident doctors dismissed from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, with full payment of their salaries and allowances for the period of their disengagement.
NARD further urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to develop and implement a humane working-hours policy in line with international best practices to safeguard both doctors’ welfare and patient safety.
Suleiman said NARD is also calling for greater autonomy for hospital chief executives to employ and replace doctors through the immediate implementation of the one-for-one replacement policy to reduce excessive workload and burnout.
He also emphasised the urgent need for the upgrade of infrastructure and medical equipment in all healthcare facilities to improve service delivery and training.
He added that the association is demanding the commencement of specialist allowance payments, inclusion of medical and dental house officers in the civil service scheme with full entitlements, and correction of all entry-level placements of doctors. NARD is also insisting on the decentralisation of promotion processes, payment of arrears resulting from previous corrections, and the quick conclusion of the Collective Bargaining Agreement Committee’s work on the review of CONMESS and other allowances.
Suleiman further called for the release and implementation of corrected tables of professional allowances and the enforcement of relativity between CONMESS and CONHESS salary structures.
He also urged the government to clear accrued promotion arrears owed to medical officers, stop the creation of consultant cadres for non-medical personnel, and abolish the casualisation of doctors by regularising all locum staff in accordance with public service rules.
He said NARD also demands uniform implementation of CONMESS circulars across federal, state, and private health institutions, and the immediate clearance of outstanding salary arrears owed to doctors in several centres.
The association is equally insisting on the full implementation of special pension benefits previously agreed upon with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).
Following the government’s failure to meet these demands, Suleiman announced that NARD had resolved to begin a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike by 12:00 a.m. on Saturday.
He directed all resident doctors in federal and state tertiary health institutions nationwide to withdraw their services completely until the government demonstrates a genuine commitment to resolving the issues.
The NARD president appealed to President Bola Tinubu to personally intervene and address the lingering problems facing the health sector.
“Mr. President, you are the father of the nation. We appeal to you to wade into this matter and find a lasting solution,” he said.
Over the years, NARD has embarked on several industrial actions to demand improved welfare, remuneration, and working conditions, often leading to service disruptions and paralysis in public hospitals across the country.
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