The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have in a statement issued a two week ultimatum to the government to fulfil all agreements made with them over salaries and other issues.
Their demands include a 200% salary rise, payment of outstanding arrears, payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund and adequate replacement of clinical staff to cushion the effect of staff shortages.
The previous government of Muhammadu Buhari had promised to resolve the matters after a five-day warning strike in May but nothing was done before leaving office at the end of that month.
The doctors say that the two weeks’ notice was enough time for authorities to address the problems.
The association has warned that if all its demands were not met by 19 July, it “cannot guarantee industrial harmony in the health sector” across the country.
Many Nigerian health workers have been leaving the country for opportunities abroad on the grounds that the country’s health system is poorly funded, with inadequate facilities and low remuneration of workers.