The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Aliyu Muhammad Pate, alongside representatives of the Kano and Jigawa State governments, attended the event.
NARD said the ultimatum followed exhaustive deliberations on unresolved welfare issues affecting doctors across the country.
“Despite repeated assurances from authorities, the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) has not been disbursed to eligible resident doctors nationwide, and the delay is affecting residency training programmes and healthcare service delivery,” NARD noted.
It further stated that arrears under the 25/35 per cent review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), alongside 19 months of professional allowances remain unpaid across several health institutions.
“Arrears under the CONMESS review, alongside 19 months of professional allowances,remain unpaid across several federal and state health institutions despite previous government commitments,”NARD stated.
The association also raised concern over salary and promotion arrears affecting doctors, as well as welfare challenges facing house officers, including delayed payments and internship bottlenecks.
“Ongoing welfare challenges affecting house officers, including salary delays, non-payment of arrears, and internship placement and onboarding bottlenecks, are continuing to negatively affect training and manpower development in the health sector.”
NARD further faulted delays in the implementation of the Medical and Health Workers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), describing progress as slow and requiring urgent completion.
“Negotiations and implementation processes relating to the CBA remain stalled and require urgent completion,”it emphasized.
The association also linked worsening manpower shortages to delays by the Federal Character Commission in issuing compliance letters for recruitment into federal health institutions, warning that the situation is worsening brain drain in the sector.
“Delays in issuing compliance letters by the Federal Character Commission have negatively affected recruitment processes and worsened workforce shortages in the health sector.”
The association further expressed concern over rising cases of assault and attacks on doctors while discharging their duties, describing the trend as a growing threat to the healthcare system.
NARD noted that despite repeated engagements, key welfare issues remain unresolved across multiple centres nationwide.
It warned that failure to meet its demands within the 21-day window could trigger further action, saying he it cannot guarantee industrial harmony beyond the deadline.
Author
Leave a comment