The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has clarified that its suspended nationwide strike will last only four weeks to allow the Federal Government begin implementing agreements reached during negotiations.
Dr Mohammad Usman Sulieman, the NARD President, as well as other executives, issued a statement following an emergency meeting in Abuja saying the decision was taken “in the interest of Nigerians”.
NARD, however, warned that it would resume the strike without further notice if the government failed to fulfil its commitments.
“We are giving government a final window to implement the agreed demands. If these commitments are not fully met, the strike will resume immediately,” the statement warned.
The strike, which lasted 29 days, disrupted services across federal and state hospitals. Resident doctors had demanded the payment of outstanding allowances, full funding for residency training, improved working conditions and implementation of hazard allowances.
Dr Sulieman said the temporary suspension followed measurable progress on arrears, allowances, manpower policy and administrative reforms.
He confirmed that the Federal Government, through IPPIS, had paid arrears of the 25% and 35% CONMESS review up to December 2023, except for isolated cases currently being reconciled.
He also confirmed significant payments have been made in 2024 accoutrement allowance.
The NARD President noted progress in resolving the disengagement of five resident doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, saying the report of the committee set up by the Minister of State for Health had been submitted with full implementation expected within two weeks from November 27.
On manpower and Duty Hours, Dr Sulieman also confirmed that the Ministry of Health had issued advisories discouraging prolonged call duty hours, while a central taskforce comprising the ministry, CMDs, MDCAN and NARD is expected to develop a comprehensive duty-hour policy within two months.
He said the association was actively engaged in the one-to-one replacement policy to address manpower shortages and burnout, with feedback expected soon from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
He also highlighted renewed directives on promotion arrears, specialist allowances, corrected professional allowances and universal CONMESS application across ministries.
Despite the progress, Dr Sulieman expressed concern over unresolved issues in some state tertiary hospitals and directed NARD chapters in the affected centres to continue local industrial action until state governments show genuine commitment to resolution.
He added that efforts were ongoing to finalise collective bargaining agreements, implement infrastructure upgrades and correct entry-level placements for newly employed resident doctors.
“The 25 and 35% CONMESS arrears have been paid, but up to 40% of our members are yet to receive theirs. The MoU provides that NARD will receive a Remita report from IPPIS to reconcile omissions and ensure full payment. We agreed on that, and we are moving forward,” he said.
RN
