Health Care In Crisis As Doctors’ Strike Persists

Nigeria’s health sector is edging toward a deeper crisis as the nationwide strike by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) lingers with no sign of resolution, despite mounting public frustration and renewed government assurances.

Hospitals across the country continue to operate at skeletal capacity, consultants are overstretched, and thousands of patients remain stranded. NARD insists the industrial action is a “fight for survival” rather than defiance of the federal government.

The dispute has intensified, with the doctors faulting what they describe as “misleading statements” from both the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labour, accusing authorities of “cherry-picking numbers” and downplaying the volume of unpaid arrears, allowances, and unimplemented reforms.

On November 19, the federal government appealed to the striking doctors to suspend the action, insisting that 19 out of their 20 demands had been met. Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Mohammad Maigari Dingyadi, urged the doctors to respect the nation’s labour laws, noting that under labour regulations and International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions, parties are expected to refrain from “arm-twisting tactics” once conciliation has begun.

Dingyadi maintained that with most of NARD’s demands addressed in several negotiation meetings, the association had no justification to continue the strike.

He also addressed issues surrounding the disengagement of five resident doctors from FTH Lokoja, manpower shortages leading to burnout, the exclusion of house officers from the Scheme of Service, and reported casualisation through locum arrangements. Committees and authorization processes, he said, have been activated to resolve these concerns and ensure appropriate reinstatement and postings.

On the issue of incorrect professional allowances, the minister added that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has engaged the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), which has been directed to issue the relevant circular within two weeks.

Earlier, the Federal Ministry of Health said over ₦43 billion has been disbursed for health workers’ arrears, including ₦21.3 billion transferred to IPPIS for salary arrears, ₦10 billion released in August, ₦11.995 billion being processed for other allowances, and ₦10.6 billion for the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund.

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the ministry to take all legitimate measures to ensure resident doctors return to work without delay.

“The President has expressly directed that we do everything possible and legitimate to ensure resident doctors are brought back to their duty posts as soon as possible,” he said.

Salako added that the government has been engaging NARD and other unions through the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) mechanism inaugurated in August 2025 to address outstanding issues related to wages, allowances, and working conditions. He reaffirmed government commitment to a fair and lasting resolution.

However, NARD has dismissed the figures presented by the government, saying only a fraction of the funds applies to resident doctors.

“They quote huge figures to mislead the public. Our arrears span more than two years. They should tell Nigerians how much of that money actually entered doctors’ accounts,” said NARD President, Dr. Muhammad Suleiman.

NARD began an indefinite nationwide strike on Saturday, November 1, 2025, over what it called 19 unmet demands. The strike has since paralysed services in government-owned hospitals across the country.

Patients remain the hardest hit as services shrink. From the National Hospital Abuja to teaching hospitals in Lagos, Kano and Enugu, the story is the same: empty wards, prolonged waiting hours, patients turned back and rising anxiety.

The doctors remain resolute. Speaking with our correspondent, Dr. Suleiman reiterated that the association’s demands have not been met.

“This strike is indefinite. If we suspend it based on verbal assurances, nothing will change,” he said.

Among the unresolved issues are five-year arrears and unpaid allowances across multiple hospitals, unimplemented specialist allowances, salary shortfalls linked to IPPIS, non-reinstatement of dismissed doctors at FTH Lokoja, stagnant promotions and manpower shortages, delayed Medical Residency Training Fund payments, and poor working conditions driving brain drain.

Despite the government’s engagement of renowned industrial relations expert Prof. Dafe Otobo, multiple meetings have reportedly ended without concrete commitments.

NARD insists it will not sign any Memorandum of Understanding without clear timelines. “A timeline-free MoU is as good as no agreement,” Dr. Suleiman said.

Public health experts have warned that the prolonged strike could lead to spikes in maternal and child deaths, delayed emergency procedures, increased mortality among chronic disease patients, and a surge in complications from postponed surgeries. They have urged the government to “do the needful” to facilitate the doctors’ return.

For now, the real casualties remain ordinary Nigerians, patients navigating half-empty hospitals, families struggling to secure care, and a health system stretched to its limits.