The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have declared an indefinite strike action despite a last minute intervention from the House of Representatives.

The association of doctors on Tuesday night declared a strike over what it described as failure of the government to meet the demands of its members.

The president of the association, Dr. Emeka Orji, said “the strike is commencing by Wednesday Morning, July 26, 2023.”

Dr. Orji noted that the decision was reached at the meeting held by the NARD NEC members Tuesday night in Lagos.

Orji explained that the demands of the resident doctors include a 200 percent salary increment, replacement of doctors who have resigned and payment of the 2023 residency training allowance.

He added that their members were overworked owing to a lack of manpower and that they could no longer wait for the government to act.

He stressed that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) had requested them to hold on until Friday last week, but nothing had happened after the said day.

Recall that the association had issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government on July 5 demanding the implementation of all its demands.

i-News Nigeria reported that the Speaker of the House of Representatives Dr Tajudeen Abbas appealed to the National Association of Resident Doctors NARD, to suspend their proposed strike action while lawmakers intervene.

He urged the association to understand the fact that a new administration just came on board and still in the process of settling down as Ministers are to be officially nominated and cleared to assume office.