Resident doctors, who constitute the bulk of the medical workforce in Nigeria’s tertiary hospitals, announced a total and indefinite strike November 1, over unresolved issues with the federal government regarding welfare, pay arrears, and improved working conditions.

At the National Hospital in Abuja, the impact of the strike was evident with only skeletal services being provided by a handful of consultants and house officers. The usually crowded antenatal and outpatient wards were nearly deserted. Many patients, including expectant mothers, the elderly, and those awaiting surgery, expressed frustration after being told there were no doctors available to attend to them.

A visibly distressed expectant mother at the hospital expressed frustration after being unable to receive care. “There are no doctors on ground. The only doctor said he can only see patients from 36 weeks up. If you are not up to that, they won’t attend to you,” she said.

Another pregnant woman lamented that she was unable to receive prenatal care despite arriving early. “They said they are on strike. Nobody at all. Only those that are about nine months are being seen. If doctors were around. There’s only one doctor attending to people,” she said.

For other patients, the situation is even more dire. A woman, who identified herself as the sister of a patient awaiting surgery, said her sister’s kidney operation had been delayed.

“They were supposed to operate on my sister today. She has a kidney problem. It was supposed to be done last week but was delayed because she didn’t have enough blood. They gave her blood, and we were told the surgery would be today, but now it has been cancelled because the doctors are on strike,” she said.

Another patient who brought his elderly father to the hospital for his appointment said they had waited several hours without being attended to.

“There’s some skeletal service. They just pick a few persons and attend to them. Initially, we were told the doctors were not available. Later, when one came around, he said he would only see 10 patients. My dad had an appointment today, but we were almost turned back. So, he was included because we came early, we are waiting” he said.

NARD’s decision to embark on the industrial action followed failed negotiations with the federal government. The doctors have demanded the payment of withheld salaries under the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), upward review of hazard allowances, and the recruitment of more medical personnel to address workforce shortages.

The strike comes at a time when Nigeria’s healthcare system is already stretched thin, following years of underfunding, brain drain, and an exodus of medical professionals to countries such as the UK, Canada, and Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Health says it has approved and commenced the payment of over N33.3billion in arrears owed health workers across the country.

The ministry informed thar N21.3 billion have been approved by President Bola Tinubu and moved into the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) account as of October 30, 2025, with payments already underway.

Furthermore, the government said it is in the final stages of processing an additional N11.995 billion which will cover outstanding allowances such as accoutrement payments.

A health worker at the National Hospital enthused that the strike could be called off any moment, noting that doctors have begun receiving payment. (BusinessDay)