Resident Doctors Demand Reinstatement of Sacked Kogi Colleagues, Warn FG of Looming Health Crisis

Resident Doctors Demand Reinstatement of Sacked Kogi Colleagues, Warn FG of Looming Health Crisis

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has renewed its call on the Federal Government to reinstate five of its members dismissed by the management of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja (FTHL), Kogi State.

The affected doctors were allegedly sacked between October 2024 and August 2025 by the former Chief Medical Director, Dr. Olatunde Alabi, for their involvement in union-related activities against the hospital’s management.

Speaking at a press conference in Lokoja on Tuesday, NARD President, Dr. Muhammed Suleiman, said the association is saying “enough is enough,” noting that the dismissed doctors have been out of work for over a year.

Suleiman recalled that during NARD’s recent 45th Annual General Meeting, the association issued a 30-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to address a series of pending welfare and policy demands affecting doctors nationwide.

“Today is the 18th day of the 30-day ultimatum that NARD gave to the Federal Government to meet our demands, among which is the reinstatement of five doctors sacked at FTH Lokoja.

“NARD’s demands include the reinstatement of the sacked doctors, payment of unpaid promotion and salary arrears dating back to five years, unpaid 25 and 35 per cent increment and entitlements,” he said.

The NARD president warned that Nigeria’s health sector is on the verge of collapse, citing the doctor-to-patient ratio of 1:9,000, far from the World Health Organisation’s standard of 1:600.

He stressed that the Federal Government must take a holistic approach in addressing the challenges facing the sector.

Suleiman further appealed to President Bola Tinubu to act swiftly, warning that the situation, if not addressed, could lead to a national disaster.

“We need the sacked doctors back to reduce workloads in the hospital. We inform Nigerians about the doctors’ plight. NARD is ready to discuss with the Federal Government to reinstate sacked doctors,” he said.

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He also called for the continuation of collective bargaining between the government, resident doctors, and other health workers without delay, describing it as the only way to curb the ongoing brain drain in the medical profession.

“That is the only way to curb brain drain. NARD is saying enough is enough,” Suleiman emphasized.

He commended the new Acting CMD of FTHL for his willingness to engage and urged him to work with NARD in achieving justice for the dismissed doctors.