By Philemon Amos

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has set a two-week deadline for the federal government to fulfill its demands. This ultimatum comes after the resident doctors previously conducted a five-day warning strike in May, citing the government’s failure to address their concerns.The NARD has put forth a list of demands, including the recruitment of more clinical staff in hospitals, urgent infrastructure development in healthcare facilities, and allocating at least 15 percent of the budget to the health sector. They also seek the prompt disbursement of the 2023 medical residency training fund (MRTF) and a significant increase in the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) by 200 percent of doctors’ gross salary.

However, following a meeting with Chris Ngige, the former Minister of Labour and Employment, and the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), the doctors decided to suspend their strike. The association plans to assess the progress made during their Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) in June.In a communique after its extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, NARD said it “observed with disappointment that it is now seven weeks since the end of the five-day warning strike and the resolutions are yet to be implemented”.

The association also noted that the parameters used in arriving at a demand for minimum of 200 percent increase in CONMESS has significantly changed, following the removal of fuel subsidy and the massive increase in the general cost of living.

NARD also demands payment of the medical residency training fund to our members in the state tertiary health institutions nationwide.

NEC hereby wishes to further extend her already expired ultimatum issued to the government by 2 weeks with effect from today 5th July 2023.