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The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has extended its expired 21-day ultimatum to the government by four weeks, warning that it may embark on industrial action if its demands remain unmet.
The decision was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the association’s Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting, held virtually on Saturday.
The communiqué was jointly signed by the NARD President, Dr Mohammad Suleiman; Secretary-General, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr Abdulmajid Ibrahim.
NARD said the extension followed a review of government compliance after the 21-day ultimatum issued at its May Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) expired, with full implementation of its demands not achieved.
The association said the extra four weeks would give the authorities time to settle its pending demands before its July National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Gombe State.
However, the NARD had declared an industrial dispute with the government over unresolved welfare and professional issues affecting resident doctors nationwide.
Credit: Tribune Online
It warned that if the authorities did not take up the outstanding issues it could not guarantee industrial peace beyond a further period of four weeks.
“Consequently, the E-NEC mandated the National Officers’ Committee (NOC) to activate all necessary processes in preparation for appropriate industrial action should the government fail to demonstrate satisfactory compliance within the stipulated period.”
The association said that although progress had been recorded in some areas, critical welfare issues remained unresolved in spite of repeated assurances from the authorities.
According to NARD, the unresolved issues include the non-disbursement of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, delayed payment of house officers’ salaries and outstanding entitlements in several centres, unpaid 25 and 35 per cent CONMESS upward review arrears, outstanding 19-month professional allowance arrears, and unpaid salary and promotion arrears owed to doctors.
The association also demanded accelerated implementation of the Medical and Health Workers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement and recommendations of ministerial committees on healthcare workers’ welfare and safety.
“The association remains committed to constructive engagement while reserving the right to take appropriate action should the outstanding issues remain unresolved upon expiration of the additional engagement period.”
