The possibility of another disruption in Nigeria’s healthcare system is drawing attention after the National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, issued a 14-day deadline to the Federal Government to resolve outstanding welfare concerns affecting its members.

The warning followed resolutions reached at the association’s 46th Annual General Meeting in Calabar, Cross River State, where doctors highlighted challenges they say continue to affect service delivery in public hospitals across the country.

NARD President, Dr Emmanuel Ogar, who presented the outcome of the meeting, said the government had not moved quickly enough in implementing previous agreements reached with the association, leaving several issues unresolved despite engagements between both sides.

Among the concerns raised by the doctors are delayed salary-related matters, promotion issues, outstanding allowances, increasing workload, shortage of medical personnel and broader welfare challenges that they say affect their ability to provide effective healthcare services.

The association’s position has renewed discussions about the pressure facing Nigeria’s public health system, where resident doctors often serve as a major workforce in teaching hospitals and other government-owned medical facilities.

According to the doctors, government reviews of existing remuneration and professional salary structures have acknowledged that current arrangements do not adequately reflect present economic realities. They are now asking for concrete steps to address the concerns within the specified timeframe.

NARD says failure to achieve progress within the 14-day period could lead to industrial action, a move that health sector stakeholders warn could affect patients who rely heavily on public hospitals for medical care. The Federal Government is expected to respond as negotiations continue over the demands.