The North-Central caucus of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) has insisted on the immediate reinstatement of doctors dismissed from the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Lokoja, as a key condition to avert an impending nationwide strike.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, the caucus leader, Dr Fanen Dogoh, described the sack of the doctors over alleged unauthorised protests and union activities as unjust. He said multiple committees set up to review the matter had all reportedly recommended their reinstatement, but the Federal Government had failed to act on the findings.
Dr Dogoh noted that the government had also not honoured a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) earlier signed with the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), raising concerns about the sincerity of ongoing negotiations.
Beyond the Lokoja case, he highlighted widespread unpaid salaries and allowances affecting resident doctors in several federal hospitals. He cited doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, who are reportedly owed up to 18 months’ arrears, as well as similar issues in Ilorin.
He warned that failure to address these grievances could lead to a complete shutdown of resident doctors’ services nationwide, adding that the association would commence a strike on Monday, January 12, if the government fails to comply.
Dr Dogoh also raised concerns over stalled collective bargaining agreements, unpaid entry-level salaries, and allowances not captured in the 2026 budget, warning that continued neglect could worsen the brain drain in Nigeria’s health sector.
Similarly, NARD Vice President II, Dr Kwarshak Kelvin, urged President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Health to urgently intervene, stressing that unresolved welfare issues could cripple the healthcare system.
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