NARD Threatens Nationwide Solidarity Strike Over OAUTHC Crisis
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a threat to embark on a nationwide solidarity strike if the ongoing industrial dispute at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC) in Ile-Ife remains unresolved. In a statement released on Thursday, the health body expressed its full support for resident doctors at OAUTHC who commenced an indefinite strike on 22 June, following months of unresolved welfare and workplace concerns that management allegedly failed to address.
Background of the Industrial Action
According to NARD, the strike by the Association of Resident Doctors, OAUTHC (ARD OAUTHC) began after prolonged neglect of their demands. The association described the crisis as avoidable, blaming it on the hospital management’s failure to respond to repeated complaints despite earlier interventions by the national body. NARD stated that it had written to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on 16 March, drawing attention to the deteriorating relationship between OAUTHC management and resident doctors. The association requested a stakeholders’ meeting involving the ministry, hospital management, ARD OAUTHC, and NARD to address issues including salary arrears, accommodation disputes, restrictions affecting the association’s secretariat, and other administrative concerns.
Welfare and Workplace Grievances
The doctors’ grievances center on several welfare and workplace issues. These include the refusal to provide comprehensive meal coverage for doctors on call, the transfer of identity card costs to employees, unresolved accommodation challenges, and the non-payment of some allowances. Other concerns involve the imposition of bench fees on resident doctors from accredited private teaching hospitals undertaking clinical rotations at OAUTHC, as well as what NARD described as a pattern of intimidation and victimisation of resident doctors. The association alleged that the hospital management’s response during the strike ultimatum did not accurately reflect discussions held with the doctors, leading members of ARD OAUTHC to reject the response and proceed with the industrial action.
NARD's Nationwide Warning
NARD said the dispute was discussed during its May Ordinary General Meeting in Kano, where delegates raised concerns over the welfare of resident doctors and gave its National Officers’ Committee 21 days to engage relevant stakeholders. The association said it was unacceptable that the matter was allowed to degenerate into an indefinite strike despite the warning. They warned that the dispute now threatens patient care, emergency services, residency training, and the overall stability of the teaching hospital.
Call for Federal Intervention
NARD called on the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to urgently convene a high-level meeting involving all parties to resolve the dispute. It also urged the ministry to direct the hospital management to address outstanding welfare issues, stop any form of intimidation or victimisation of resident doctors, protect members participating in lawful union activities, and establish a monitored framework for implementing any agreements reached. The association warned that if the dispute remains unresolved within a reasonable time, it would be compelled to declare a nationwide solidarity strike in support of the OAUTHC resident doctors.
Broader Industrial Dispute with Federal Government
This latest dispute comes as NARD is already locked in a broader industrial dispute with the federal government over unresolved welfare, remuneration, and training-related issues affecting resident doctors across the country. Earlier this month, the association declared a nationwide industrial dispute and issued the federal government a 21-day ultimatum to address demands including the release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), payment of outstanding salary and promotion arrears, correction of allowance discrepancies, improved welfare for house officers, and stronger measures to protect doctors from assaults in hospitals. The ultimatum, which is now approaching its expiration, followed resolutions reached at the association’s Ordinary General Meeting in Kano, where delegates also raised concerns over unresolved welfare issues at several hospitals, including OAUTHC.
