By Ayo Kehinde
Relief has come for patients across Nigeria as the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Tuesday announced the suspension of its indefinite nationwide strike, directing members to resume work from 8 a.m. Wednesday.
The move follows fresh assurances from the federal government on key welfare and remuneration concerns affecting resident doctors.
NARD President Mohammad Usman Suleiman announced after a meeting of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC).
He explained that the suspension was based on the federal government’s commitment to reverse its decision to halt the implementation of the revised Professional Allowance Table (PAT), initially scheduled to take effect from April 2026.
“Following productive discussions with the federal government, the NEC has resolved to suspend the strike and direct all members to resume work tomorrow at 8 a.m.,” he said.
Suleiman however, cautioned that the suspension is conditional, setting April 21 as the deadline for full compliance with all NARD demands.
“Failure to meet these terms will leave us with no choice but to resume industrial action,” he warned.
The strike, which began earlier this week, was declared in protest against the federal government’s plan to discontinue the revised PAT, a key element of a 2025 agreement reached after a prolonged industrial dispute.
The agreement aimed to improve resident doctors’ remuneration through enhanced call duty and shift allowances, rural posting incentives, and payments for non-clinical duties.
Although implementation was initially slated for January 2026 and later shifted to February, NARD alleged that the government intended to halt the process entirely by April, describing it as a breach of trust and a violation of previously agreed terms.
The association demanded the immediate reinstatement of the allowance structure and payment of all outstanding entitlements.
In addition to the PAT reversal, NARD is calling for the prompt payment of promotion arrears, salary arrears, and the expedited disbursement of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, crucial for the smooth operation of residency programs across the country.
The development offers temporary relief to Nigeria’s healthcare system, which has faced repeated disruptions due to industrial actions by medical professionals.
Teaching hospitals and tertiary health centres, particularly those in urban centres, are expected to see an immediate restoration of services, easing the burden on patients who have endured delays in treatment.
Healthcare experts have welcomed the move, noting that while the resumption of duties provides immediate relief, the April 21 deadline remains a critical date.
They emphasized the importance of continued dialogue between the government and medical associations to prevent future industrial disputes that could jeopardize public health.
