(DDM) – The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has handed the Federal Government a 30-day ultimatum to resolve lingering welfare and policy issues affecting its members.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the resolution was reached at the association’s 45th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scientific Conference, held in Katsina State from September 21 to 26.
The communiqué, jointly signed by NARD President Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, Secretary-General Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity and Social Secretary Dr. Abdulmajid Ibrahim, warned of possible industrial action if the demands remain unmet.
Among the core demands are the immediate payment of accumulated promotion arrears, release of corrected professional allowance tables, and the reinstatement of five medical doctors dismissed at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja.
The doctors also called for urgent action on the long-delayed review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).
“The AGM demands that the Federal Government urgently pay all accumulated promotion arrears owed to our members across federal institutions within 30 days,” the communiqué read.
In addition, the association directed the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, as well as the management of the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja, to reinstate the affected doctors within the same timeframe.
NARD also expressed strong disapproval of what it described as “excessive and unsafe working hours.”
The association directed members to cease taking more than 24 consecutive hours of call duty effective October 1, citing the dangers such long shifts pose to doctors and patients alike.
“The AGM calls on the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to develop and implement healthy call duty hours for doctors in line with international best practices,” the statement further emphasized.
The communiqué highlighted broader challenges confronting the sector, including worsening brain drain, casualisation of medical personnel, poor hospital infrastructure, and the exclusion of house officers from the civil service scheme.
The doctors demanded a one-for-one replacement policy to address manpower shortages and mitigate the exodus of health professionals to other countries.
Dr. Suleiman, who was elected as the new NARD President during the AGM, stressed that the fresh ultimatum was not issued lightly.
He said resident doctors cannot continue to work under unsafe conditions while welfare issues remain unresolved.
“If these issues are not resolved within 30 days, we will have no choice but to take the necessary steps to defend our members and the healthcare system,” he warned.
The association also rejected the creation of consultant cadres for non-medical doctors, describing it as a “dangerous trend” that could destabilize the profession.
Furthermore, NARD urged the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to restore full recognition of the West African postgraduate membership certificates.
Additional demands include the inclusion of house officers in the civil service scheme, immediate payment of all outstanding allowances, and the implementation of previously agreed special pension benefits.
According to Dr. Suleiman, NARD remains committed to delivering quality healthcare in Nigeria, but stressed that government must play its part by honoring agreements and improving working conditions.
The AGM also resolved to intensify advocacy at the National Assembly to ensure increased funding for healthcare services and training in the 2026 Appropriation Act.