The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has vowed to begin industrial action if the federal government fails to properly execute the previously agreed 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 organisation, Friday marked the second day since the agreed-upon deadline for executing 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 stated that it had paused its last strike in good faith after the government made assurances, but that the agreements had yet to be implemented.
“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 reacted to what it called the continuous misrepresentation of resident physicians as troublemakers, emphasising that its members are critical to healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
While underlining that industrial action is still a last alternative, the group cautioned that the government’s ongoing silence or delays may compel unpleasant 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 confidence and defend Nigeria’s health system.
“The clock has run out. Immediate action can restore trust, protect the health system, and avert TICS 2.0,” the association said.
