Resident doctors suspend strike

By Isa Isawade

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has suspended its warning strike after two days of commencement.

The doctors announced the suspension of the industrial action Saturday evening, directing members to resume work on Sunday.

The President of the association, Dr. Tope Osundara, disclosed this in a WhatsApp message sent to the press on Saturday that: “Some of our demands have been met. The government has promised to look into other issues. Strike suspended; resumption to work tomorrow. We did this as a sign of goodwill and to assist Nigerians who are seeking healthcare in our various facilities.”

The strike had disrupted services in public hospitals across the country. Consultants and other categories of health workers were left to manage the heavy caseload, leading to overstretched services, while patients faced delays.

The doctors embarked on the strike on Friday 12 September as a result of refusal of the government to answer to their demands.

The demands include the immediate payment of the outstanding 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund; settlement of five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure review, and other long-standing salary backlogs.

They also demanded the payment of the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears; prompt disbursement of specialist allowances; and restoration of the recognition of the West African postgraduate membership certificates by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.

Others are their call on the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to issue membership certificates to all deserving candidates; implementation of the 2024 Consolidated Medical Salary Structure; resolution of outstanding welfare issues in Kaduna State.

The doctors are also demanding that the plight of resident doctors at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, be addressed.