The ongoing strike by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has severely disrupted healthcare services across the country, leaving patients stranded and hospitals overwhelmed.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, appealed to the doctors to suspend their industrial action, saying the Federal Government has met most of their demands.
According to Salako, the government has already cleared about 60 per cent of the backlog of arrears owed to health workers and remains committed to resolving the remaining issues.
However, NARD’s President, Dr. Mohammed Suleiman, maintained that the strike would continue until the government fully meets all pending demands. He stressed the need for further dialogue, describing the action as necessary to ensure fairness and sustainability within the healthcare sector.
NARD had earlier declared a “total, comprehensive, and indefinite” strike that began on Saturday, citing unresolved issues including unpaid arrears, allowances, and entitlements such as the 25/35 percent CONMESS review, promotion arrears, upgrade arrears, and accoutrement allowance — some of which have been outstanding for more than five years.
The association described these demands as the minimum necessary to sustain the nation’s healthcare system and uphold the dignity of medical professionals.
In response, the Federal Government announced plans to release ₦11.99 billion within 72 hours to offset part of the salary and allowance arrears owed to medical professionals across the country.
Despite the government’s assurances, NARD has yet to call off the strike, insisting that concrete action — not promises — will determine when work resumes in hospitals nationwide.
