Resident doctors at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan have officially ended their month-long strike and resumed their duties.
The action comes after productive negotiations with the government, marking a step forward in addressing longstanding issues within the medical community.
The strike, which commenced on November 1, was initiated by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) in response to unmet demands from the federal government.
Key concerns included a proposed 200% hike in the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, the rollout of new allowances that had been pending since July 2022, urgent hiring of additional clinical personnel, and streamlining administrative processes to facilitate quicker staff replacements.
Dr. Gboyega Ajibola, President of the UCH chapter of NARD, confirmed the resumption in a statement. He explained that the NARD National Executive Council convened on November 29 to evaluate progress.
“The government has addressed the majority of our pressing short-term demands,” Ajibola stated.
This led to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that details the demands and establishes clear timelines for fulfillment.
In accordance with the MoU, NARD has suspended the strike for a four-week period to allow the government to implement the agreements.
Ajibola added that local chapters, including UCH, held meetings on December 1 to update members, after which all doctors were directed to return to work immediately.
The resumption is expected to alleviate the strain on healthcare services at UCH, one of Nigeria’s premier teaching hospitals, and signals potential improvements in doctor welfare nationwide.
Stakeholders are monitoring the government’s adherence to the MoU closely, with hopes for sustained dialogue to prevent future disruptions.
This resolution highlights ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s health system, including staffing shortages and compensation issues, but also demonstrates the impact of collective bargaining in achieving reforms.