The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a four-week ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the immediate payment of outstanding salaries, allowances, and the implementation of previously agreed welfare packages.
The decision was reached at the end of the association’s Extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, where members reviewed the government’s response to their earlier demands and expressed dissatisfaction over what they described as the slow pace of implementation.
According to NARD, the Federal Government must address all outstanding issues within four weeks or risk a nationwide industrial action that could disrupt healthcare services across Nigeria.
Among the association’s key demands are the payment of unpaid salary arrears, outstanding accoutrement and professional allowances, the full implementation of the revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), and the release of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).
The resident doctors also called for the settlement of outstanding welfare issues affecting members in federal and state-owned health institutions, noting that many doctors have continued to work under difficult conditions without receiving their full entitlements.
NARD said it has formally declared an industrial dispute with the Federal Government and warned that it cannot guarantee industrial harmony if the issues remain unresolved after the expiration of the four-week deadline.
The association urged the Federal Government and relevant authorities to honour previous agreements and engage with stakeholders to prevent another nationwide strike, which could significantly affect medical services in public hospitals.
