The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, has announced it will return to duty at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, following the suspension of the nationwide industrial action by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
ARD UCH President Dr Uthman Adedeji made this known on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan, confirming that members would comply with the directive issued at the national level.
NAN recalls that NARD had earlier instructed its members across the country to begin an indefinite strike over the federal government’s failure to meet its demands.
Among the key issues raised are the immediate reversal of the revised Professional Allowance, settlement of outstanding promotion and salary arrears, and the timely release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), among others.
Adedeji explained that the strike was called off after an Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting, during which NARD directed all members nationwide, including those at UCH, to resume work at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
He noted that the decision came after the federal government reversed its position on the revised professional allowance and pledged to address other pending concerns brought forward by the association.
He added that no new patients would be admitted at UCH until Wednesday morning, as doctors would use the interim period to properly hand over currently admitted patients to consultants.
According to him, stable patients will be discharged, while no fresh cases — including emergencies — will be attended to until full operations resume at the scheduled time.
Adedeji further stated that some doctors may be allowed extra time to attend to critically ill patients beyond the handover period, subject to approval by the association’s leadership.
He reaffirmed the association’s dedication to patient welfare and urged the federal government to swiftly meet NARD’s demands to avoid further disruptions in the healthcare sector.
