President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to take immediate steps to ensure that members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) currently on strike return to work without delay.
The directive was announced by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, during a press briefing on Monday in Abuja, following the total and indefinite strike declared by NARD on Saturday.
Dr. Salako, who conveyed the President’s directive, apologised to Nigerians affected by the industrial action, assuring that the government was working swiftly to resolve the crisis.
“Mr President has expressly directed that we do everything possible and legitimate to ensure that the resident doctors are brought back to their duty posts as soon as possible,” Salako stated.
He explained that the ministry had been in active engagement with the leadership of NARD to address their grievances, which include 19 separate demands covering welfare, remuneration, and working conditions.
According to the minister, the dispute originated from a circular issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) in July, which caused division among health workers. He said the ministry had since sought a review of the circular to accommodate all professionals in the sector.
Salako disclosed that a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) was initiated in August involving all major health unions, including the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
He, however, noted that the process was temporarily halted due to disagreements over relativity and parity in remuneration, as well as the appointment of non-doctor health workers as consultants.
“The government has engaged a professor of industrial relations as an external negotiator, and discussions are ongoing to resolve the two key issues and other pending matters,” he added.
On manpower shortages, the minister said the government had approved massive recruitment in the health sector, engaging over 14,000 health workers in 2024, with plans to employ an additional 23,000 workers in 2025 across federal tertiary institutions.
He also revealed that President Tinubu had approved an increase in the retirement age for clinical health workers from 60 to 65 years, noting that the policy was undergoing final administrative processes.
Regarding financial matters, Dr. Salako said the government had released N21.3 billion for the payment of outstanding arrears, with about 60 per cent of NARD members already paid. He further announced that an additional N11.9 billion had been processed for payment.
“We are in constant touch with the Accountant-General and Pay Office to ensure that the remaining 40 per cent are paid promptly,” he assured.
Salako also highlighted ongoing improvements in hospital infrastructure nationwide and reaffirmed Tinubu’s commitment to a sustainable, inclusive health system.
“The health sector is teamwork. No professional can work independently of others. We are taking our time to ensure that any agreement reached will be durable and beneficial to all stakeholders,” he said.
The minister urged striking doctors to consider the suffering of Nigerians and return to work while negotiations continue, assuring that the government remained open to dialogue and peaceful resolution.
