The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has expressed full support for the indefinite strike by resident doctors at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), calling on the Lagos State Government to urgently resolve the doctors’ welfare concerns.
In a statement signed by NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman, and Secretary-General, Dr. Shuabu Ibrahim, the association said it stood “in full solidarity” with the Association of Resident Doctors, LASUTH (LASUTH-ARD), following its decision to commence a total and indefinite strike.
According to NARD, the industrial action followed months of delays in resolving welfare and remuneration issues affecting resident doctors at the tertiary healthcare institution.
The national association said the outstanding matters persisted despite previous agreements and assurances between the doctors and relevant authorities.
NARD Calls for Sanwo-Olu’s Urgent Intervention
NARD urged Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the state Ministry of Health to intervene directly in the dispute and facilitate an immediate resolution.
“NARD firmly supports the legitimate demands of its members at LASUTH and calls on the Lagos State Government to take immediate, decisive action to address the unresolved welfare issues disrupting medical services at the tertiary institution,” the association said.
One of the major concerns raised by the doctors is the alleged failure to pay specialist allowance to Grade Level 14 resident doctors, particularly Senior Registrars 1.
NARD claimed that the implementation of the allowance at LASUTH had not kept pace with applicable federal standards.
Doctors Demand Payment of Outstanding Arrears
The association also highlighted alleged outstanding salary shortfalls and advancement arrears owed to doctors since last year.
It further said resident doctors were owed 25 months of arrears resulting from the delayed implementation of the revised Professional Allowance Table (PAT).
NARD also raised concerns about transparency in salary payments, alleging discrepancies and irregularities in recent payments.
To address the issue, the association called for the immediate release of comprehensive salary breakdown tables showing how the affected doctors’ payments were calculated.
According to NARD, the prolonged failure to resolve the issues had placed doctors who continued working under difficult conditions in a position where industrial action became unavoidable.
“Our colleagues at LASUTH have shown immense patience and dedication, but the persistent failure to honour agreements leaves them with no choice,” the association stated.
NARD Warns of Impact on Patient Care
NARD warned that allowing the dispute to continue for an extended period could further affect medical services and threaten healthcare stability across Lagos State.
The association therefore appealed to the state government to address the doctors’ demands and engage LASUTH-ARD in meaningful negotiations aimed at resolving the issues and bringing the strike to an end.
“We call on His Excellency, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the Lagos State Ministry of Health to intervene directly, meet these critical demands, and avert a prolonged crisis that threatens patient care and healthcare stability in the state,” NARD said.
The national body urged the Lagos State Government to treat the matter with “utmost urgency” and take immediate steps to restore normal medical operations at LASUTH and across the state’s healthcare system.
“NARD stands shoulder-to-shoulder with LASUTH-ARD until the issue is fully resolved,” it declared.
NARD called for an immediate negotiated settlement, stressing that resolving the outstanding welfare issues is essential to restoring medical services and addressing the concerns of the affected resident doctors.
