Resident doctors across Nigeria have announced plans to resume a nationwide strike from January 12, a development that has sparked widespread concern among patients, health sector stakeholders, and the general public over the likely disruption of medical services in public hospitals.
The planned industrial action, led by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), comes after what the doctors describe as persistent failure by the government to fully address longstanding demands bordering on welfare, remuneration, training conditions, and the overall sustainability of Nigeria’s healthcare system.
As the January 12 deadline approaches, tension is mounting across teaching hospitals, federal medical centres, and state-owned tertiary health institutions, where resident doctors form the backbone of day-to-day clinical services.
Who Are Resident Doctors and Why Their Strike Matters
Resident doctors are qualified medical doctors undergoing specialist training in accredited hospitals. They play a critical role in Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system, providing frontline services in emergency units, wards, clinics, operating theatres, and intensive care units.
In many public hospitals, resident doctors are the primary caregivers, often working long hours under intense pressure. Their absence, even for a short period, is typically felt immediately, leading to overcrowded facilities, reduced services, and increased mortality risks for patients.
Health experts warn that another strike could severely strain an already fragile healthcare system still grappling with manpower shortages, funding challenges, and rising patient loads.
Why Resident Doctors Are Returning to Strike
According to NARD, the decision to resume the strike follows months of unfulfilled agreements and delayed implementation of previous resolutions reached with the Federal Government and other relevant authorities.
Key issues cited by the doctors include:
- Outstanding salary arrears and allowances
- Non-payment or delayed payment of hazard allowances
- Poor working conditions and inadequate facilities
- Irregularities in residency training programmes
- Failure to review welfare packages in line with current economic realities
Resident doctors argue that inflation, rising fuel prices, and increased cost of living have significantly eroded their earnings, leaving many struggling to meet basic needs despite the demanding nature of their work.
“We Have Been Patient”
Leaders of the association say the decision to resume the strike was not taken lightly. They insist that doctors have shown patience and repeatedly engaged government officials through dialogue, warning notices, and suspended actions, but meaningful progress has remained elusive.
“We cannot continue to sacrifice our wellbeing and dignity while promises remain on paper,” a senior NARD official said. “This strike is about survival, professionalism, and the future of healthcare in Nigeria.”
The association maintains that unless concrete steps are taken before January 12, resident doctors nationwide will withdraw their services in compliance with union resolutions.
Impact on Patients and Hospitals
The looming strike has triggered anxiety among patients, particularly those relying on public hospitals for chronic care, surgeries, and emergency services.
Previous resident doctors’ strikes have resulted in:
- Suspension of outpatient clinics
- Cancellation of elective surgeries
- Reduced emergency care capacity
- Overburdening of consultants and house officers
- Increased patient referrals to private hospitals, often at higher costs
Many Nigerians, already struggling with economic hardship, fear they may be unable to afford private healthcare if public facilities grind to a halt.
Hospital administrators are also bracing for operational challenges, with some facilities reportedly exploring contingency plans to minimize disruptions.
Government Response and Negotiations
As of now, government authorities have acknowledged the doctors’ concerns but have yet to announce decisive measures to avert the strike. Officials have previously emphasized budgetary constraints and competing national priorities, while assuring health workers of ongoing efforts to improve conditions.
The Federal Ministry of Health has, in past disputes, appealed for calm and dialogue, warning that strikes in the health sector put lives at risk. However, resident doctors counter that continued inaction poses an even greater threat to patient safety and the long-term viability of the healthcare workforce.
Brain Drain and the Bigger Picture
The impending strike once again highlights Nigeria’s worsening medical brain drain, as thousands of doctors migrate annually to countries offering better pay, working conditions, and career prospects.
Health analysts say unresolved welfare issues and frequent industrial actions are both symptoms and drivers of a deeper crisis in the healthcare sector.
“When resident doctors feel undervalued and overworked, they either strike or leave the country,” a public health expert explained. “Either way, the system suffers.”
Nigeria already has one of the lowest doctor-to-patient ratios globally, a situation worsened by migration, burnout, and inadequate training capacity.
Calls for Urgent Intervention
Civil society groups, patient advocacy organisations, and health policy experts have called on the Federal Government and state authorities to urgently intervene and prevent another shutdown of hospital services.
Some have urged the government to:
- Implement existing agreements without delay
- Prioritise healthcare funding
- Establish clear timelines for resolving disputes
- Treat health workers’ welfare as a national security issue
Religious and traditional leaders have also appealed to both parties to put the interests of patients first, stressing that dialogue remains the best path forward.
Mixed Reactions from the Public
Public reaction to the planned strike has been mixed. While many Nigerians sympathise with the doctors and acknowledge their difficult working conditions, others express frustration at the recurring nature of healthcare strikes and their impact on vulnerable patients.
On social media, some users argue that the government has failed health workers, while others call for reforms that reduce reliance on strikes as a negotiation tool.
What Happens Next
With January 12 fast approaching, attention is now on last-minute negotiations that could either avert or confirm the strike.
If talks fail and resident doctors down tools as planned, Nigeria’s public healthcare system is likely to face significant disruptions, reigniting debates about sustainable solutions to labour disputes in the health sector.
For now, millions of Nigerians wait anxiously, hoping for a resolution that ensures both quality healthcare delivery and fair treatment of medical professionals.
As the situation unfolds, the coming days will prove critical in determining whether dialogue prevails or another chapter of healthcare disruption begins.
