The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria, initiated a seven-day warning strike starting at noon on September 11, 2025. This action stems from a series of unmet demands and broken promises by the Anambra State government concerning their working conditions and remuneration. The core issue revolves around the government’s failure to fulfill its commitment to pay the 100% Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), which it had pledged to commence in January 2025. This funding is crucial for resident doctors to pursue specialized training and enhance their skills, ultimately benefiting the quality of healthcare services provided to the public.
Beyond the MRTF, the resident doctors are also protesting the non-implementation of the upwardly revised CONMESS salary structure, a standardized pay scale for medical professionals in Nigeria. This structure is designed to ensure fair and competitive compensation for doctors, recognizing their specialized skills and demanding workload. The non-payment affects not only their current salaries but also the accumulation of arrears, placing a financial strain on the doctors. Furthermore, the lack of payment for accoutrement, rural posting, specialist, and teaching allowances further exacerbates their financial grievances. These allowances are designed to compensate doctors for the additional costs and challenges associated with specialized roles, rural service, and teaching responsibilities.
The strike is further fueled by chronic staff shortages, leading to an overwhelming workload for the existing resident doctors. This shortage compromises their ability to provide adequate care to patients and negatively impacts their own well-being. The ARD has repeatedly called on the government to address this issue by employing more doctors to meet the recommended staffing levels established by medical colleges for each department. This measure is essential to ensure safe and effective patient care and alleviate the burden on the current workforce.
The ARD at COOUTH has made numerous attempts to engage with the government since the beginning of 2025, seeking to address these concerns and secure the promised benefits. These efforts included a 10-day ultimatum issued by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on September 1, 2025, which the government failed to heed. The current seven-day warning strike is a direct consequence of this inaction, signaling the doctors’ resolve to pursue their demands. They hope that this action will prompt the government to finally address their concerns and avert a potential indefinite strike, which would severely disrupt healthcare services in the state.
The resident doctors are urging the government to not only pay the MRTF but also to formally gazette it, ensuring its consistent disbursement in the future. This would provide much-needed stability and predictability for resident doctors, allowing them to focus on their training and patient care without the recurring uncertainty surrounding funding. The ARD has appealed to the hospital management, relevant stakeholders, and the public to advocate for their cause and impress upon the government the urgency of fulfilling their obligations.
The doctors emphasize the importance of resolving these issues to prevent further disharmony within the state’s tertiary healthcare system. They recognize the potential disruption their action may cause and express their commitment to providing efficient and effective service delivery once their demands are met. The ARD also acknowledges the ongoing support from various institutions and individuals who have consistently championed their welfare. This support underscores the broader recognition of the vital role resident doctors play in the healthcare system and the importance of ensuring their fair treatment and adequate working conditions.
