The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has said the suspension of its five-day warning strike on Sunday was due to the commencement of the payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to members who had previously been owed.

The union said It decided to call off the strike after receiving assurances from the Federal Government to address its outstanding demands, adding that it would monitor the promise for two weeks.

Besides, the union said the action was taken in view of the hardship effects of the strike on Nigerians seeking health care were going through due to the strike

The President of the association, Dr. Tope Osundara, said, “We did this as a sign of goodwill and to assist Nigerians who are seeking healthcare in our various facilities”.

However, in a memo signed by Osundara, Secretary-General, Dr. Odunbaku Kazeem Oluwasola, and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Amobi Omoha, on Sunday, the association said the decision came after a virtual Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held on September 13.

The strike, whichh began on September 12, was suspended effective 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 14, 2025, to give the government a two-week window to implement the agreements contained in NARD’s communiqué.

In the communique, besides the payment of the MRTF to all eligible members, the other outstanding demands yet to receive immediate attention include the payment of the outstanding five months’ arrears from the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review and the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance.

They also criticized the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria for downgrading West African postgraduate membership certificates and faulted the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria for delaying the issuance of certificates, in addition to the prompt release of a corrected circular on doctors’ remuneration from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC)

NARD said the suspension of the warning strike, alongside the government’s renewed commitment to dialogue, informed the suspension of the action.

“After due deliberations, and considering the plight of Nigerians grappling with health issues in the present harsh economy, the NEC resolved to suspend the strike action to allow the government a two-week window to fully implement our demands,” the memo read.

The doctors, however, issued a stern warning to the Oyo State Government, urging it to comply with the 15-day ultimatum issued by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Oyo State branch, over unresolved welfare issues at the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.

Failure to act, NARD cautioned, would compel its National Officers’ Committee (NOC) to direct all resident doctors in Oyo State to embark on an indefinite solidarity strike.

The association also called on other state governments to swiftly address welfare challenges facing doctors in their tertiary hospitals, noting that members in affected states were empowered by the NEC to continue with their industrial actions until genuine commitments were made.

NARD, however, reaffirmed its commitment to working with all levels of government to ensure better welfare for health workers and a stronger healthcare system for Nigerians. (The Nation)

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