Health care services across Nigeria were thrown into disarray on Wednesday as the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) commenced a five-day nationwide warning strike.
The industrial action involves about 12,000 resident doctors, who make up a significant portion of the country’s medical workforce. Out of Nigeria’s estimated 56,000 registered doctors NARD members represent the bulk of frontline personnel in teaching hospitals and federal medical centres.
The strike has already disrupted services in many facilities, with reports of patients being turned back or experiencing long delays in accessing care.
NARD said the action was necessary to press home its long-standing demands, which include improved working conditions, payment of outstanding allowances, and adequate funding of the health sector.
Health experts fear that the strike could worsen the strain on Nigeria’s health system, where doctor-to-patient ratios are already among the lowest in the world due to brain drain and limited infrastructure.
Government officials have yet to issue a formal response, but negotiations are expected in the coming days to avert a prolonged disruption.
