Following the suspension of the nationwide industrial action by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, has stated that it will resume work on Wednesday at 8:00 a.m. In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Tuesday, ARD UCH President Dr. Uthman Adedeji confirmed that members would abide by the national mandate. NAN remembers that, in response to the federal government's refusal to comply with its demands, NARD had previously instructed its members nationwide to commence an indefinite strike.
The main concerns raised include the timely distribution of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), the prompt reversal of the amended Professional Allowance, and the settlement of unpaid salary and promotion arrears.
Adedeji clarified that the strike was canceled following an Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting in which NARD instructed all members countrywide, including those at UCH, to return to work on Wednesday at 8:00 a.m.
He pointed out that the decision was made after the federal government promised to address other outstanding issues raised by the group and changed its stance on the updated professional allowance. He further stated that until Wednesday morning, no new patients would be admitted to UCH since doctors would use this time to properly transfer patients who were already admitted to consultants.
He claims that while stable patients would be released, no new cases, including emergencies, will be handled until full operations begin at the appointed time. Adedeji added that, with the association's leadership's consent, certain physicians might be given more time to care for severely ill patients after the handover period.
In order to prevent more disruptions in the healthcare industry, he encouraged the federal government to promptly comply with NARD's demands and reiterated the association's commitment to patient welfare.
