The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has given the Federal Government a 21-day ultimatum to begin implementing measures to protect healthcare workers, citing a growing number of attacks on doctors across the country.
Speaking at the end of the association’s Ordinary General Meeting in Kano, NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, said members were alarmed by the increasing cases of assault, harassment and intimidation of medical personnel.
“The OGM observed with grave concern the disturbing rise in cases of assault, harassment, intimidation and violent attacks against doctors across the country while discharging their professional duties,” he said.
Describing the trend as a threat to the health sector, Suleiman said the association was demanding the development and implementation of a National Healthcare Workers Assault Prevention and Response Protocol.
“Consequently, the OGM gives the Federal Government a 21-day window to commence concrete actions towards the development and implementation of a National Healthcare Workers Assault Prevention and Response Protocol, as well as the initiation of the necessary legislative process to address this menace.”
NARD also demanded the release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund and other outstanding payments owed to doctors, while calling for urgent recruitment of healthcare workers to address manpower shortages.
The association declared an industrial dispute with the Federal Government, warning that failure to meet its demands could disrupt industrial harmony.
“The Association hereby declares an industrial dispute with the Federal Government on the outlined matters above and cannot guarantee industrial harmony after the 21-day window,” it said.
