Healthcare services across Nigeria continue to suffer major disruptions as the nationwide strike by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) enters another day.
In a bid to ease the escalating crisis, the Federal Government has appealed to the striking doctors to suspend their industrial action, insisting that significant progress has been made in addressing their demands.
Speaking at a news conference in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, revealed that the government has cleared approximately 60% of the arrears owed to health workers.
“We have made substantial progress. About 60 percent of the backlog of arrears has already been paid,” the Minister said, urging resident doctors to return to work in the interest of public health.
However, NARD President, Dr. Mohammed Suleiman, stressed that more needs to be done. He maintained that further dialogue is essential to comprehensively resolve all lingering issues.
The association, which commenced a “total, comprehensive and indefinite” nationwide strike on Saturday, insists it will not call off the action until the government fully meets its demands.
NARD highlighted several unresolved entitlements, including unpaid arrears and allowances such as the 25/35 percent CONMESS review, promotion arrears, upgrade arrears, and accoutrement allowance—some outstanding for more than five years.
According to the association, these demands represent the bare minimum required to sustain Nigeria’s ailing health sector and maintain the dignity of medical practice.
In response to the escalating situation, the Federal Government announced that it would release ₦11.99 billion within 72 hours to offset part of the salary and allowance arrears owed to medical professionals across the country.
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