The ongoing industrial action by medical professionals has once again brought critical issues to the forefront, particularly the question of why resident doctors are striking in Nigeria. This renewed strike action, led by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), highlights deep-seated challenges within the nation’s healthcare system. In Anambra State, the Association of Resident Doctors, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (ARD-COOUTH) Branch, has confirmed its full compliance with NARD’s directive, underscoring a nationwide unity among doctors pushing for better conditions.
Following an Emergency General Meeting (EGM), ARD-COOUTH formally declared its position to join the comprehensive strike. This decision comes after a previous 19-day nationwide strike by NARD was suspended in November 2025, predicated on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the federal government. However, the failure to implement the agreements reached in that MoU has compelled doctors to resume their industrial action, signaling a significant standoff between medical practitioners and authorities.
ARD-COOUTH’s specific grievances mirror many national concerns while also addressing local institutional failings. The doctors are demanding resolution of unpaid salary arrears, outstanding allowances, and clear career progression pathways. Beyond these financial and professional concerns, the resident doctors at COOUTH have also highlighted dire internal issues, including substandard or entirely absent call rooms, which lack basic amenities and appropriate infrastructure, directly impacting their ability to provide adequate patient care.
What is the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) strike about? The NARD strike primarily concerns the welfare and working conditions of medical professionals across the country. Doctors are demanding payment of outstanding salary arrears, improved allowances, better career progression, and adequate infrastructure in hospitals. These issues aim to ensure fair compensation and a conducive environment for healthcare delivery and training.
The living conditions for house officers at the institution’s quarters have also been a point of contention, characterized by irregular electricity, insufficient water supply, and sub-standard call-duty meals. These conditions contribute significantly to doctor burnout and affect their capacity to perform optimally. Furthermore, the hospital faces critical manpower shortages, leading to an excessive workload for existing doctors and a severe lack of consultants in various subspecialties, which disrupts essential residency training programs.
These systemic failures have broader implications for the quality of healthcare challenges Nigeria explained. The absence of accreditation in some departments is a prolonged issue that has hindered residents’ full participation in training and adversely affected those preparing for postgraduate examinations. Moreover, the lack of gratuity and pension schemes for deserving doctors upon retirement, coupled with the non-implementation of the most recent CONMESS allowances, further erodes morale and professional development.
The resident doctors vs government Nigeria dynamic is often one of unfulfilled promises. ARD-COOUTH explicitly stated that they did not join the previous NARD strike because management promised to address their demands. However, with no item in that agreement granted, the doctors feel compelled to join this current action, vowing to continue until their demands are met, even if NARD calls off the national strike.
The appeal from the medical doctors is clear: they urge appropriate authorities to urgently address these concerns. Their goal is to ensure industrial harmony, sustainable medical training, and, ultimately, the overall health of the nation. The persistent issues undermine the welfare, morale, and professional development of doctors in COOUTH, with negative consequences for both healthcare delivery and patient care.
Ultimately, the question of why resident doctors are striking in Nigeria is multifaceted, encompassing both national policy failures and local administrative shortcomings. Resolving these issues is paramount for the stability of the healthcare system and the well-being of its dedicated professionals.
