The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has hinted that it may soon go on another nationwide strike, following the Federal Government’s failure to honour a Memorandum of Understanding previously signed with the association.

In an urgent appeal to senior medical professionals and respected elders, posted on X and titled “Urgent Appeal to Avert a Looming Nationwide NARD Strike (TICS 2.0),” NARD Secretary-General Shuaibu Ibrahim cautioned that the nation was on the brink of a total and indefinite comprehensive strike.

The association said the strike would be the inevitable result of the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Government ignoring multiple deadlines for implementing the MoU signed with resident doctors.

NARD recalled that it suspended its indefinite strike after 29 days of industrial action, following the signing of an MoU with the government.

Under the agreement, the government committed to meeting NARD’s demands within four weeks.

The association, however, warned that it would resume a total, indefinite and comprehensive strike if the Federal Government failed to implement the agreed demands within the stipulated four weeks.

In a statement, the association said, “I write to you at a critical moment for Nigeria’s health sector and the medical profession. As revered elders, past and present leaders, and custodians of the values that have long sustained our noble calling, your voices carry unmatched moral authority and national weight.

“The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors stands on the brink of another nationwide industrial action — Total and Indefinite Comprehensive Strike (TICS 2.0) — triggered by the failure of the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Government to honour the Memorandum of Understanding freely entered into with NARD.

“This development is deeply distressing, not only because of its implications for healthcare delivery, but because it represents a breakdown of trust, sincerity, and good faith in government–professional relations.”

NARD emphasised that resident doctors form the backbone of service delivery in Nigeria’s tertiary hospitals, adding that they are overworked and increasingly demoralised.

The association called on senior medical elders to intervene, saying their influence could compel the government to act and avert another nationwide crisis in healthcare services.

“For clarity, the sequence of events over the past few months underscores NARD’s patience and restraint. Following the suspension of the warning strike, NARD issued a two-week ultimatum, which elapsed without any meaningful response from the Federal Ministry of Health or the Federal Government at the last AGM.

The association warned that failure by the government to implement the MoU within the agreed timelines could lead to another total disruption of hospital services, potentially affecting millions of patients across the country.

Read Also: Resident Doctors Suspend Nationwide Strike After Reaching Agreement with FG

“It is important to emphasise that NARD has shown uncommon restraint and patriotism. Strikes were suspended, timelines were extended, and multiple conciliatory meetings were honoured, all in the hope that commitments made by the government would translate into concrete action. Regrettably, most of these commitments remain unfulfilled, while agreed deadlines have been ignored without explanation.

“We therefore humbly but urgently appeal to you to prevail on the Federal Ministry of Health, and by extension the Federal Government, to take immediate and visible steps to honour the MoU with NARD. Your timely intervention can still avert this looming crisis, restore confidence and prevent yet another avoidable disruption to healthcare services across the country.

As of press time, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare had not issued a response to the development.

Source: Punch