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The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) states that the federal government has reversed its earlier decision on implementing the revised Professional Allowance Table (PAT) and has made new commitments to settle outstanding arrears and fund residency training programmes.
The disclosure was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the association’s emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held virtually on Saturday.
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The dispute
The current development follows weeks of tension between NARD and the federal government over unresolved welfare issues.
Earlier in April, PREMIUM TIMES reported that the association declared a nationwide strike, citing persistent welfare challenges and policy inconsistencies in the health sector.
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At the centre of the dispute was the government’s decision to halt the implementation of the reviewed PAT. The government has now agreed to implement the PAT.
The doctors also raised concerns over delayed payment of promotion arrears and salary arrears, the non-disbursement of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), and about 19 months of unpaid professional allowances.
NARD warned at the time that the unresolved issues were affecting doctors’ morale and threatening the sustainability of healthcare delivery across the country.
Following negotiations with government officials and other stakeholders, the association had earlier suspended the strike, citing progress in discussions and commitments by the authorities to address the concerns.
However, the association maintained that the suspension was not a resolution of the dispute but a window to assess the government’s willingness to implement agreed measures, a process that has now culminated in the latest commitments outlined in its communiqué.
Government concessions
In its observations, the association said the federal government has now reinstated the implementation of the reviewed PAT, noting that the adjustment is expected to reflect in April salaries and subsequent payments.
NARD also said the government renewed its commitment to pay all outstanding promotion and salary arrears owed to resident doctors in affected institutions.
It further noted that initial approval has been secured for the 2026 MRTF, with a firm commitment by the authorities to conclude and finalise the disbursement process.
According to the communiqué, the Budget Office has also indicated readiness to commence the process for the payment of 19 months’ arrears of the professional allowance.
However, the association expressed concern over the continued delay in the payment of house officers’ salaries.
Demands
Following its deliberations, the NEC demanded the sustained implementation of the reviewed PAT as reflected in the April salary and in subsequent months.
The association also called for the prompt payment of all outstanding promotion and salary arrears owed to resident doctors in affected institutions, in line with the government’s renewed commitment.
It further demanded the expedited conclusion and full disbursement of the 2026 MRTF, as well as the immediate commencement and timely completion of the process for the payment of the outstanding 19 months’ arrears of the professional allowance.
On house officers’ salaries, NARD called for the convening of an urgent stakeholders’ meeting to address and bring persistent delays to a definitive resolution.
In light of the latest developments, the association said it has resolved to suspend its planned comprehensive strike.
It added that progress on the government’s commitments would be reviewed at its Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) scheduled to be held in Kano in May.
Stakeholders’ interventions
NARD said it reviewed high-level engagements involving several government officials and institutions, including Vice President Kashim Shettima; the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammed Pate; and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi.
Others include the Coordinating Minister of Finance, the Budget Office, the Cash Management Office, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), the Nigerian Medical Association, and the State Security Service (SSS).
Appreciation
The association expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, Mr Shettima, and other government officials and stakeholders for their interventions.
Those acknowledged include Senate Committee on Health Chairperson Ipalibo Harry-Banigo; Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare Iziaq Salako; Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Doris Uzoka-Anite; Accountant-General of the Federation Shamsedeen Ogunjimi; and Director-General of the SSS, Adeola Ajayi.
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Others are the Director-General of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu; Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Fatima Kyari; Registrar of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Temitope Esan; President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Bala Audu; and Chairman of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors, Sa’ad Ahmed.
The association also appreciated other government officials, its members nationwide, and media organisations for their support.
