The five-day warning strike declared by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has paralyzed federal and state hospital operations, leaving patients stranded and relying on consultants and nurses for skeletal care.
The usually congested Outpatient Department of Abuja’s National Hospital was empty, and the trauma centre saw only five patients in the morning of Friday. Mrs. Baba Hauwa, who was referred from Garki General Hospital, said that she was returned and told to return after the strike. “I was unaware of the strike. I do not know what to do now,” she wept. Mr. Moses Adeola, another patient, thanked consultants for treating him but requested the government to resolve the doctors’ problems, saying, “We cannot go abroad for treatment like the rich.”
A nurse who requested anonymity warned that the situation would worsen further if nothing was done promptly.
The strike, after an Extraordinary NEC meeting of NARD, was called for pending issues such as non-payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), review of CONMESS arrears, failure to pay 2024 accoutrement allowance, salary arrears, and downgrading of MDCN membership certificates.
In Benue State, doctors-in-residence at Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, left their patients in the care of consultants and deserted the hospital. Dr. Emmanuel Tormusa, ARD president at FMC Makurdi, stressed solidarity with all members nationwide: “An injury to one is an injury to all.” Relatives of patients were leaving the hospital, others opting to transfer their relatives to private hospitals.
At Jalingo, FMC witnessed a massive reduction in patient visits, with admissions put on hold. Consultants treated critical cases, but admitted being overwhelmed. Patients for discharge were sent away prematurely to seek treatment elsewhere.
The same was the case in Enugu, Umuahia, Jos, Bida, and Owerri, where patients lamented frustration and fear. The majority said they would shift their loved ones to private hospitals, though cost was an impediment.
Imo State hospitals were nearly paralyzed. Patient Uche Ibezim lamented that “the less privileged are the worst hit” since they are unable to afford private treatment. Civil servant Urenna Amadi cited the constant strikes and demanded the government show commitment: “The poor masses are really suffering in this country.”
While consultants are struggling to maintain with huge caseloads nationwide, patients and families are calling for the federal government to take immediate action to resolve the crisis so they are not losing more lives.
