The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has written an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, urging his urgent intervention in what it described as the worsening state of Nigeria’s health sector.
The association warned that the healthcare system was on the verge of collapse, describing the situation as “a national emergency and a matter of national security.”
PUNCH Online had earlier reported that NARD listed 19 demands, which it described as the minimum expectations required to avert a total and indefinite nationwide strike scheduled to begin on October 31.
In the letter dated October 27, 2025, and titled “A Passionate Appeal to the Commander-in-Chief of the Federation,” NARD’s President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, said the decision to address the President directly stemmed from “deep concern and a profound sense of duty.”
“Your Excellency, we are aware that some individuals around you may have assured you that the challenges facing resident doctors have been resolved. Respectfully, sir, that information is not accurate. Our realities in the hospitals across Nigeria tell a different story,” Suleiman stated.
The NARD president lamented that many members were still being owed legitimate entitlements “despite several signed agreements and repeated assurances from government representatives.”
“We are not politicians. We are doctors; men and women devoted to saving lives, working long hours in often harsh and under-resourced conditions.
Our appeal is simple and sincere: we seek not luxuries, but the basic salaries, allowances, and welfare packages that have already been approved and promised by government,” he added.
Describing the situation as demoralising, Suleiman said the disparity in welfare between policymakers and frontline doctors had weakened morale and threatened service delivery.
“While many in privileged positions continue to receive their full emoluments without delay, the frontline doctors who shoulder the burden of patient care are left struggling.
This inequity is demoralising and threatens the very foundation of our healthcare delivery system,” he said.
Appealing to Tinubu’s “compassion, fairness, and courage,” Suleiman urged the President to personally intervene to resolve the association’s 19-point demands.
“We therefore appeal to your fatherly leadership to personally intervene and resolve the long-standing 19-point demands of the Nigerian Resident Doctors in order to restore hope, trust, and stability to our health sector,” he wrote.
NARD expressed confidence in the President’s leadership, saying:
“We believe that under your decisive leadership, Nigeria’s health system can once again stand strong to serve our people with dignity and save countless lives.”
Suleiman concluded the letter by praying for “wisdom, strength, and goodwill” for President Tinubu to act swiftly in the interest of all Nigerians.
Advertisement
