The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has warned of a potential nationwide shutdown of medical services due to the Federal Government’s failure to implement a previously signed Memorandum of Understanding. In a statement, NARD Secretary-General Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim cautioned that the country is on the brink of a total and indefinite comprehensive strike, which would be the result of the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Government ignoring multiple deadlines for implementing the agreement.
The association had suspended its indefinite strike on November 29, after 29 days of industrial action, following the signing of the MoU with the government. The agreement committed the government to meeting NARD’s demands within four weeks. However, with the deadline now passed, the association has warned that it would resume a total, indefinite, and comprehensive strike if the Federal Government fails to implement the agreed demands.
NARD emphasized that resident doctors form the backbone of service delivery in Nigeria’s tertiary hospitals, and are overworked and increasingly demoralized. The association called on senior medical elders to intervene, stating that their influence could compel the government to act and avert another nationwide crisis in healthcare services.
The sequence of events leading to this point has been marked by patience and restraint from NARD, with multiple extensions and conciliatory meetings. However, with no visible progress on the implementation of the MoU, the association has stated that it is only fair to say that resident doctors should not be blamed if industrial action resumes.
The potential strike could lead to a total disruption of hospital services, affecting millions of patients across the country. NARD has appealed to distinguished elders to prevail on the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Government to take immediate and visible steps to honor the MoU. The association believes that timely intervention can still avert this looming crisis, restore confidence, and prevent another avoidable disruption to healthcare services.
As of now, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has not issued a response to the development. The situation highlights the need for urgent action to address the concerns of resident doctors and prevent a disruption to healthcare services in Nigeria. With the country’s health system already facing significant challenges, the potential strike poses a significant risk to patients and the broader healthcare sector.
