By Our Correspondent
National News – The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced that its members across Nigeria will begin an indefinite nationwide strike from 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, over disputes with the Federal Government of Nigeria regarding the suspension of the revised Professional Allowance Table (PAT).
The decision was taken during the association’s extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held virtually on Saturday, where leaders expressed frustration over what they described as the government’s plan to halt the implementation of the agreed allowance structure.
According to NARD President, Shuaibu Ibrahim, the planned industrial action became necessary after the government allegedly moved to discontinue the allowance framework introduced following the doctors’ prolonged strike in 2025.
The agreement had provided improved welfare packages for resident doctors, including call duty allowances, shift payments, rural posting incentives, and compensation for non-clinical duties.
Ibrahim explained that the implementation of the revised allowance table was initially scheduled to start in January 2026 but was delayed until February.
However, NARD claims that authorities now intend to terminate the process by April 2026, a move the association believes violates earlier agreements reached after negotiations with the government.
The doctors’ union is demanding the immediate reversal of the decision to stop the PAT implementation.
It is also calling for the payment of promotion arrears, salary arrears in affected medical centres, and the prompt release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund.
Additionally, NARD insists that the government must clear 19 months of outstanding arrears related to the professional allowance owed to resident doctors nationwide.
Healthcare experts warn that the strike could severely disrupt services in public hospitals across the country.
Resident doctors play a critical role in Nigeria’s tertiary health institutions, handling a large share of patient consultations, emergency care, and surgeries.
Nigeria’s healthcare system already faces a major workforce shortage.
Current estimates show the country’s doctor-to-patient ratio is about one doctor to 5,000 patients, far below the recommendation of the World Health Organization, which suggests one doctor for every 600 patients.
If the strike proceeds, analysts say it may lead to the suspension of outpatient services, delays in medical procedures, and increased pressure on private hospitals as patients seek alternative care.
