The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has threatened to resume industrial action if the federal government fails to effectively implement the previously signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the organisation.
In a statement issued on Friday, NARD stated that its national executive council (NEC) was convening to identify the next steps under “TICS 2.0 – No implementation, no going back.”
According to the association, Friday marked the second day since the agreed-upon deadline for implementing the NARD-federal government MoU, prompting the emergency NEC meeting.
“Today, the national executive council members shall make a determination of the modus operandi for NARD TICS 2.0: NO IMPLEMENTATION, NO GOING BACK,” the statement reads.
NARD said it had suspended its previous strike in good faith after commitments were made by the government, but that implementation of those agreements remained outstanding.
“Commitments were made. Timelines were agreed. Implementation remains outstanding. These are signed commitments — not negotiations,” the association said.
The doctors warned that the responsibility for averting another nationwide strike rests with the government, not with the patience of healthcare workers.
“The responsibility to avert another nationwide doctors’ strike lies with government action, not doctors’ patience,” the statement reads.
The association accused the government of neglecting, altering or only partially implementing agreements reached with resident doctors. It added that previous gains had been eroded by economic realities.
“Agreements have been either totally neglected, altered or half implemented. Gains made have been allowed to be overtaken by events totally of the making of government,” the association said.
NARD also rejected what it described as the persistent portrayal of resident doctors as troublemakers, insisting that its members are central to healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
While noting that industrial action remains a last resort, the association warned that continued silence or delays by the government could force difficult decisions.
“It is not a crime to read medicine in the university, it is certainly not a crime to be a member of NARD in Nigeria. We have not offended anyone by constituting ourselves as the backbone of healthcare service delivery in Nigeria,” the statement added.
“No one wants to embark on such actions of industrial disharmony. It becomes the last resort when those saddled with the responsibility of governance turn a blind eye to the realities of the suffering of NARDites.”
NARD urged the federal government and the federal ministry of health and social welfare to act quickly, stating that swift execution of the agreements might rebuild trust and defend Nigeria’s health system.
