NARD Branches Join As Resident Doctors Begin Indefinite Strike

By Ayodele Oni

At the expiration of 30 days ultimatum to the Federal Government to meet its demands, Nigerian Association of Residents Doctors, (NARD), on Saturday  commenced indefinite strike.

The president of NARD, Dr Mohammad Suleiman who disclosed this in a statement on the association’s X account on Saturday, explained that the strike is meant to press home its demands.

According to Suleiman, the strike has become inevitable following the repeated failure of the Federal Government of Nigeria to honour its promises and implement the agreements reached with us after several rounds of dialogue, appeals, and ultimata.

“We wish to address you at this critical time as we embark on a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike, a decision that did not come lightly, nor was it ever our desire.

“We are fully aware of the pains and inconveniences that accompany any disruption in healthcare services, and we deeply regret the situation.

“Our demands are not selfish, neither are they politically motivated. They are genuine, germane, and patriotic, centred on the survival of the Nigerian health system and the well-being of every citizen who depends on it.

“We fight not for personal gain, but for the creation of a system that allows doctors to deliver safe, effective, and compassionate care to patients in an environment that supports their mental and physical well-being.

“A resident doctor who is overworked, underpaid, and mentally exhausted cannot offer optimal care to the patient who needs them most.

“Our demands include issues of excessive workload, fair remuneration, payment of arrears, improvement of working conditions, adequate staffing, and the provision of essential medical infrastructure, all of which directly impact the quality of healthcare delivered to Nigerians.

“A nation’s health system can only be as strong as the hands that sustain it. If the doctors are broken, under-motivated, or forced to seek survival abroad, the patients suffer most.

“This is why we have taken this painful stand to secure the future of Nigerian healthcare for every man, woman, and child who deserves quality care here at home.

“We therefore call on all Nigerians – our patients, civil society groups, labour unions, religious and traditional leaders, and every citizen of conscience – to stand with us. Add your voices to ours in appealing to the Federal Government to do the right thing.

“This is not a fight between resident doctors and government; it is a struggle for a functional, just, and humane healthcare system, one where your doctor can attend to you with a clear mind, a motivated spirit, and access to the tools needed to save lives.

“Together, we can rebuild a system that values both the carer and the cared-for. We appeal to you to weigh in and urge the government to address our demands urgently so that hospitals can reopen, doctors can return to their duty posts, and Nigerians can once again access the care they deserve.

“We always stand with you, and now we ask you to stand with us in solidarity and service to humanity,” he stated.

On Thursday, Abuja Resident Doctors said they would join NARD in its indefinite strike due to unmet demands by the Federal Capital Territory Administration peculiar to them.

NARD had a week ago had announced a plan to commence an indefinite strike on Saturday, 1st November 2025.