The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced plans to shut down public hospitals across Nigeria starting Thursday over unresolved welfare and systemic issues.

 

The President of NARD, Dr. Osundara Zenith, disclosed this in an interview on Wednesday, noting that the final decision would be ratified after a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.

 

According to him, the planned industrial action is driven by poor working conditions, shortage of manpower, downgrading of certificates, poor remuneration, unpaid arrears and allowances, as well as the non-disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to over 2,000 resident doctors nationwide.

 

 

“We are also calling on the attention of the Oyo State government to address the concerns of resident doctors in their employ who are still on strike. The FCT resident doctors are also currently on strike over similar issues. Those are the reasons we are going on strike,” Dr. Zenith stated.

 

He explained that the move is also in solidarity with resident doctors in Abuja and Oyo State, who have already downed tools.

 

NARD had earlier issued a 10-day ultimatum to the federal government, which, according to the association, was ignored.

 

UGAMA TV reports that the Association of Resident Doctors, FCTA (ARD-FCTA), had earlier declared a seven-day warning strike on Monday, leading to the shutdown of public hospitals in Abuja.