The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned indefinite, total strike following renewed commitments from the Federal Government on salary payments and welfare-related concerns. Despite calling off the strike action, the association issued a fresh set of demands. These include the continued implementation of the reviewed Professional Allowance Table (PAT) in April salaries and beyond, prompt settlement of all outstanding promotion and salary arrears, and the fast-tracked payment of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).
The group also demanded the immediate commencement of payment of 19 months’ outstanding professional allowance arrears, as well as an urgent stakeholders’ meeting to address delays in house officers’ salary payments.These resolutions were contained in a communiqué released after an emergency virtual meeting of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) held on Saturday. The document was signed by its President, Mohammad Usman Suleiman, Secretary-General Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity and Social Secretary Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim.
NARD explained that the decision to suspend the strike followed engagements with key government officials and institutions, including the Vice President, the ministries of health, labour, and finance, the Budget Office, and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. The association noted that the earlier suspension of the reviewed PAT implementation had been reversed, with payments expected to reflect in April salaries. It also acknowledged renewed government assurances regarding the settlement of outstanding salary and promotion arrears owed to resident doctors in affected hospitals.
According to the communiqué, approval has been secured for the 2026 MRTF, with assurances that disbursement processes will be completed, while the Budget Office has indicated readiness to begin payment of the outstanding allowance arrears. However, NARD expressed concern over persistent delays in the payment of house officers’ salaries, describing it as an unresolved issue requiring urgent attention. The association said progress on all commitments would be reviewed at its May Ordinary General Meeting in Kano.
Source : https://thenationonlineng.net/
