Olu Samuel

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has renewed its call on the Federal Government to reinstate five doctors sacked by the management of Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja (FTHL).

The sacked doctors were allegedly dismissed in October 2024, May and August 2025 by FTHL management led by former Chief Medical Director, Dr Olatunde Alabi, for their involvement in union activities against the hospital management.

Addressing a press conference in Lokojaon Tuesday, NARD President, Dr. Muhammed Usman Suleiman, said the association is saying “enough is enough” as the sacked doctors have been out of work for over a year.

Suleiman recalled that NARD during its recent 45th Annual General Meeting (AGM), gave the Federal Government a 30-day deadline to meet a series of outstanding welfare and policy demands affecting its members.

“Today is the 18th day of the 30-day ultimatum that NARD gave to the Federal Government to implement our demands, among which is the reinstatement of five doctors sacked at FTH Lokoja.

“NARD’s demands include the reinstatement of the sacked doctors, payment of unpaid promotion and salary arrears dating back to five years, unpaid 25 and 35 per cent increment and entitlements,” he said.

He noted that Nigeria is facing a crisis in the health sector, with a ratio of one doctor servicing over 9,000 Nigerians, compared to the standard ratio of one doctor to 600 people.

Suleiman stressed that the federal government must be holistic in its approach to addressing the issues in the health sector.

He urged President Bola Tinubu to take urgent action, warning that if the situation is not addressed, it might lead to a national disaster.

Suleiman expressed NARD readiness to engage in dialogue with the federal government to resolve the issue.

“We need sacked doctors back to reduce workloads in hospital. We inform Nigerians about Doctors’ plight.

“NARD ready to discuss with federal government to reinstate sacked doctors,” he said.

Suleiman stressed the need for the continuation of the current ongoing collective bargain between the federal government and Nigerian doctors as well as other health workers without further delay.

“That is the only way to curb brain drain. “NARD is saying enough is enough,” he emphasised.

Suleiman commended the new Acting CMD of FTHL for his efforts and appealed to him to partner with NARD in their struggle for justice for the sacked doctors.