NARD gives FG 14-day ultimatum over doctors’ welfare, salary demands

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum to address outstanding welfare and employment-related issues or face the possibility of industrial action.

The doctors issued the ultimatum at the end of their 46th Annual General Meeting held in Calabar, Cross River State.

NARD President, Dr Emmanuel Ogar, who announced the resolutions of the meeting, said the Federal Government had been slow in implementing agreements previously reached with the association.

According to him, several meetings had been held and assurances given by government officials, but many of the issues affecting resident doctors remained unresolved.

The association warned that failure to address the outstanding demands within two weeks could trigger a disruption in the health sector.

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Among the issues listed by the doctors are salary adjustments, delayed promotions, payment of outstanding allowances, excessive workload, inadequate manpower and broader welfare concerns.

The association said the challenges had continued to affect the working conditions of resident doctors and could have implications for healthcare delivery if left unresolved.

A key demand centres on the review of remuneration and professional salary structures for doctors.

“The government concluded the review of existing remuneration and professional salary structures for doctors, saying the current framework no longer adequately reflected prevailing economic realities,” the resolution stated.

NARD said it expected the government to take concrete steps towards implementing the agreements and resolving the outstanding issues within the 14-day window.

The latest ultimatum comes amid longstanding concerns by medical professionals over remuneration, working conditions, staffing levels and retention of doctors in Nigeria’s public health system.

The association is expected to assess the government’s response at the expiration of the deadline before deciding on its next course of action.