Nigeria’s fragile health system faces fresh turmoil as the resident doctors strike splits into two tracks.
On Sunday, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) suspended its nationwide warning strike after just two days, giving the Federal Government until September 26 to address long-standing demands, including unpaid arrears, accoutrement allowances, and manpower shortages.
“We extended this olive branch in good faith,” NARD President Dr. Tope Osundara said, urging government to act before their Annual General Meeting reconvenes.
But in Abuja, the situation escalated. The Association of Resident Doctors, FCTA (ARD-FCTA), yesterday declared an indefinite strike.
“This follows the failure of management to address our legitimate demands, even after a one-week warning strike,” General Secretary Dr. Agbor Affiong announced.
FCT Chairman Dr. George Ebong painted a grim picture: “In some hospitals, one doctor attends to 30–40 patients, performing up to 10 caesarean sections. Many colleagues are on antidepressants.”
The Abuja walkout means 14 district and general hospitals could shut their doors indefinitely, worsening access to care in the capital.
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