The suspension of the planned strike by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has made patients and medical personnel across Nigeria breathe a sigh of relief.
Patients and staff at Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and Plateau State Specialist Hospital were relieved by the reprieve.
Even before the brief strike was called off, services at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital were virtually undisturbed.
Medical activities at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital proceeded as the strike approached, with the exception of outpatient services, which were briefly disrupted.
On Tuesday, the NARD planned to launch an indefinite strike over delayed salaries, underpaid allowances, and other welfare issues impacting its members.
However, following high-level government interventions, including engagements by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammad Dingyadi, NARD announced on Tuesday morning that the strike would be suspended, giving the Federal Government a two-week deadline to address outstanding issues.
In a joint statement signed by NARD President Dr. Muhammed Suleiman, Secretary-General Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity Secretary Dr. Abdulmajid Ibrahim, the association stated that the decision was reached after long debates by its National Executive Council.
The statement voiced “cautious optimism,” citing the government’s involvement as a renewed commitment to addressing resident doctors’ welfare issues.
The statement read, “The NEC, in recognition of the ongoing high-level interventions and as a demonstration of goodwill, hereby suspends the previously declared total, indefinite, and comprehensive strike action.”
However, NARD warned that unresolved issues, such as delayed promotion and salary arrears, non-disbursement of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, a backlog of 19 months’ unpaid professional allowances, and the halt in the implementation of the revised Professional Allowance Table, must be addressed within the two-week deadline.
NARD also demanded that the federal government immediately reverse its decision to halt the implementation of the reviewed Professional Allowance Table, which has been a major cause of dispute.
The group insisted that the federal government take “concrete, measurable, and verifiable steps” within the two-week deadline to meet all outstanding concerns.
It stated that failing to achieve these requirements would result in the immediate resumption of the suspended strike without further notice.
However, NARD asked members around the country to remain calm, united, and steadfast while waiting for the federal government’s answer, emphasizing that its members’ patience is short.
“The NEC shall reconvene immediately upon expiration of the ultimatum to review the level of compliance and determine further appropriate actions in the best interest of its members,” the statement added.
At JUTH and Plateau State Specialist Hospital, patients and staff expressed relief at the reprieve.
A consultant at JUTH, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said, “We are always overwhelmed with work any time the resident doctors are not on duty due to strike.
“They’re the foot soldiers at the hospital, and if they’re not around, our capacity to attend to patients becomes seriously limited, except in emergency cases.”
Mrs. Tina Badungs, a patient at JUTH, noted, “The last time I was here, we stayed without anyone attending to us. Thank God the strike has been called off. I hope the government meets their demands so they won’t abandon their patients again.”
Dr. Garos Jakhim, president of the Association of Resident Doctors at JUTH, confirmed compliance with the national directive.
“Yes, it’s true we have called off the strike. My members in Plateau are fully supporting NARD’s efforts and have resumed work. We are happy with the result that the government listened, engaged in dialogue, and brought solutions,” she said.
