Copyright persecondnews
Resident doctors, under the aegis of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), have rejected the Federal Government’s ₦11.995 billion payment and will continue their nationwide strike. NARD insists the government owes them a staggering ₦48 billion in outstanding arrears, making the released amount far too low to resolve the dispute. According to NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman, the government’s figures are inaccurate, and very few resident doctors will benefit from the recent payment. Suleiman explained that even though the Ministry of Finance is processing some payments (CONMESS and CONHESS), the cleared funds—covering items like accoutrement allowance and COVID-19 hazard pay—only satisfy two of the 19 demands the association has put forward, meaning they are not enough to call off the strike. “We thank the Minister of Finance for releasing some funds, but the Ministry of Health must take real action. Doctors are still being underpaid,” Suleiman said. Persecondnews reports that the strike, which began on Saturday, November 1, has paralysed activities in 91 hospitals across the country. The University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, is now being managed solely by consultants, as resident doctors have fully complied with the strike and completely withdrawn their services. Dr. Gboyega Ajibola, President of the UCH Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), confirmed 100% compliance, calling the move regrettable but unavoidable, noting that repeated, failed negotiations with government officials left them no choice. “Our members are exhausted. This is not about money alone; it’s about saving the healthcare system,” he said. In Lagos, Dr. Akintade Adegboyega of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ebute-Meta, said the government’s payment figures were misleading. “The strike is total and indefinite. No member is working. Doctors cannot continue under poor working conditions,” he stated. In Calabar, most public hospitals have stopped operating, with only the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital and a few private facilities still open to the public. Also in Asaba, Delta State capital, essential services at the Federal Medical Centre are being sustained only by consultants and nurses. A nurse confirmed they are currently only attending to already admitted patients due to the severe shortage of doctors. Across the country, patients and their families are suffering the direct consequences of the strike. Mrs. Chinyere, whose husband is ill, reported that his treatment was suspended. “They told us to come back when the doctors resume. My husband’s condition is getting worse,” she lamented. Similarly, in Calabar, a pregnant woman, Mrs. Nkoyo Etim, expressed concern that she may have to resort to traditional birth attendants because she cannot afford care at a private hospital. Activities in Abuja at the National Hospital and the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, have been crippled. Patients are either being discharged or referred to private facilities. A nurse at FMC Jabi described the situation as dire: “We are discharging patients because there are no doctors. Those in critical condition are being sent elsewhere. The government must act fast.” The disruption forced one accident victim being moved out of FMC Jabi to state that his family had no alternative but to take him home. At the National Hospital, a police officer suffering from a gunshot wound pleaded for help, saying his scheduled surgery had been delayed. “My leg is swollen, and I’m in serious pain. The government should please fix this,” he urged. Despite the widespread hardship, NARD President maintained that the strike would continue until all the association’s outstanding demands are fully met. “This is not a fight against the government. It is a fight for a better healthcare system for all Nigerians.”
