Doctors Reject Government Claims as Nationwide Strike Deepens Crisis
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria’s health sector remains paralysed as the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) rejects the Federal Government’s claim that it has met “19 out of 20” of the union’s demands. The association insists that none of the demands has been “fully and verifiably implemented.”
In a statement on Thursday, NARD describes the Ministry of Labour and Employment’s 19 November update as “misleading,” accusing officials of attempting to create a false sense of progress. Resident doctors have been on an indefinite strike since 1 November, crippling services in federal hospitals.
“The Ministry’s claims grossly misrepresent the true state of negotiations,” NARD said after its Emergency NEC meeting. It adds that announcements of intended payments do not translate into actual implementation. “An announcement of intent is not a substitute for a credited salary,” the union states.
Labour Minister Mohammad Dingyadi earlier said payment of the revised CONMESS salary and 2024 accoutrement allowance “has commenced.” He also warned against “arm-twisting tactics” during conciliation.
But NARD disputes this. “What the Ministry describes as progress is merely anticipation of action,” the group says, noting that members across the country have not received payments.
The union expresses shock that government agencies are “still compiling lists of arrears” from institutions including FTH Lokoja, FMC Owo, UITH and OAUTHC. It argues that committees set up to address manpower shortages and doctor disengagements amount to bureaucratic delays.
“Constituting a committee is not a resolution,” NARD says. It demands the reinstatement of disengaged doctors and immediate implementation of a one-for-one replacement policy.
As the strike enters its third week, hospitals remain overstretched. NARD insists the burden of ending the crisis “rests squarely with the government.”
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Juliet Jacob 
Hussaini Ibrahim