Nationwide Strike by Resident Doctors Cripples Public Hospitals in Nigeria

The five-day nationwide warning strike by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has crippled services in public hospitals across the country, leaving patients stranded and desperate for care. The strike, which began on Friday, is causing widespread disruptions in hospitals across the nation, with patients in dire need of medical attention being turned away or left unattended. The situation is dire, with patients in critical condition, including a laboring woman who was wheeled out of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Jabi to another hospital, and a patient with severe malaria who was given only an injection and advised to continue treatment elsewhere.

Key Takeaways:

• The strike has crippled services in public hospitals across Nigeria, leaving patients in desperate need of medical attention.
• The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) is demanding the release of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), payment of five months' arrears from the revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), and settlement of outstanding allowances.
• Resident doctors make up the bulk of medical personnel in Nigeria's tertiary hospitals, and previous strikes have often crippled services nationwide.
• Patients in hospitals across the country report being left unattended, with some cases resulting in severe consequences, including death.
• Hospitals like the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri, and the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Akwa Ibom State, have been forced to discharge patients or transfer them to other hospitals due to the strike.
• Consultants and senior doctors have been stepping in to fill the void left by striking residents, but their workloads have increased significantly.
• The strike has also resulted in a significant reduction in patient turnout, with some hospitals reporting a decline of up to 90% in the number of patients being treated.
• NARD has scheduled an extraordinary National Executive Council meeting for Saturday night to review the strike, with negotiations between the government and the association ongoing.

Statistics:

• Over 90% reduction in patient turnout at some hospitals due to the strike.
• 5 days duration of the strike as of Saturday night.
• 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) outstanding since 2025.
• 5 months' arrears from the revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) owed to doctors.

Sources:

• NARD begins 5-day nationwide warning strike against FG over unpaid allowances and MRTF. - Premium Times, 2025.
• Resident doctors commence nationwide strike, calling on government to address their demands - The Cable, 2025.