The National Association of Resident Doctors has issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to address outstanding welfare and professional concerns affecting its members, warning that failure to resolve the issues could lead to industrial action.

The ultimatum was contained in resolutions reached at the association’s 46th Annual General Meeting held in Calabar on Sunday. The resolutions were read by the newly elected National President of NARD, Dr Ogar Emmanuel Idoko.

The doctors expressed concern over what they described as the slow implementation of agreements previously reached with the Federal Government, stressing that prolonged delays in resolving the issues had become unacceptable.

Among the issues raised by the association were remuneration, career progression, professional allowances, excessive workload, manpower shortages and the general welfare of resident doctors.

NARD called for the immediate implementation of existing agreements with the Federal Government, particularly those relating to improved conditions of service and professional development.

The association also urged the government to conclude the review of doctors’ remuneration and professional salary structures, arguing that the existing framework no longer adequately reflected prevailing economic realities.

The resident doctors further demanded appropriate compensation for additional workloads arising from manpower shortages in hospitals.

They called for standardised templates for calculating excess-workload compensation and reliable data to support payments to doctors performing duties beyond their normal responsibilities.

The association also raised concerns over attacks on health workers, urging the full implementation of existing policies and anti-assault measures designed to protect doctors and other medical personnel in hospitals.

NARD linked the continued migration of doctors and other health professionals out of Nigeria to worsening manpower shortages, saying the situation had increased the workload of those remaining in the country.

It consequently urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to address factors contributing to the continued exodus of medical professionals.

The association also called on state governments to prioritise the welfare of doctors and other health workers in their institutions and ensure compliance with relevant welfare policies.

It demanded improved hospital infrastructure, adequate medical equipment and better working conditions, noting that these were necessary to improve patient safety and healthcare delivery.

The doctors further urged the National Assembly to strengthen budgetary allocations to the health sector, stressing that adequate funding was critical to addressing persistent challenges in healthcare.

NARD also demanded the prompt payment of salaries and other outstanding entitlements owed to house officers and called for their inclusion in relevant welfare arrangements.

On the use of electronic clocking systems in hospitals, the association said it was not opposed to the technology, provided it was properly implemented and used primarily for accurate data management rather than as a punitive measure against medical personnel.

The resident doctors noted that several agreements and commitments reached with the Federal Government remained unresolved despite repeated meetings and assurances.

NARD therefore urged the government to use the two-week window to resolve the outstanding issues and prevent another disruption to industrial harmony in the health sector.

According to the association, addressing the disputes would improve doctors’ welfare, reduce burnout and contribute to better healthcare delivery for Nigerians.

The AGM also produced a new national leadership, with Dr Ogar Emmanuel Idoko emerging as NARD president alongside other members of the National Executive Council.

The new leadership was charged with pursuing the implementation of the resolutions and maintaining engagement with the government towards improved conditions of service for resident doctors.