Doctors Various groups across the nation have identified the complete enforcement of current healthcare policies as the top priority for the President Bola Tinubu-headed federal government to address repeated strikes within the healthcare industry in 2026.
Doctors noted that the government's inability to put into action agreed-upon plans and structures that have already been endorsed continues to be an issue affecting the healthcare system.
Physicians cautioned that ongoing disregard for these obligations will surely intensify growing unrest, emphasizing that walkouts from medical staff are closely tied to the failure to uphold negotiated agreements.
According to PUNCH Healthwise, strikes have been a common feature in the nation's healthcare system for many years, and 2025 was no different.
On November 1, 2025, the National Association of Resident Doctors initiated a walkout due to ongoing problems such as low pay, insufficient staffing, unprocessed benefits, and hazardous work environments.
According to PUNCH Healthwise, the walkout by trainee physicians—essential for delivering patient care at teaching hospitals, specialty centers, and national health institutions—disrupted operations in those settings following approximately 11,000 doctors ceasing work across 91 medical facilities nationwide.
Amidst the impact of NARD, challenges within the health sector worsened on November 15 when the Joint Health Sector Unions initiated an ongoing strike, leading to patients and their loved ones facing the distress of lacking medical care, including in urgent situations.
Although the federal government allocated N50 billion to clear unpaid salaries for healthcare staff in November 2025, medical professionals stated that this measure failed to address the specific debts owed to their members, since the funds were intended for all healthcare workers rather than physicians exclusively.
In the meantime, NARD stated that the federal government owes physicians and other healthcare professionals nationwide approximately N38 billion in unpaid benefits.
As developments progressed, the medical professionals advised Tinubu to carry out the current accords to maintain workplace stability and prevent labor actions in the coming year.
Nevertheless, when interviewed specifically by PUNCH Healthwise, physicians affiliated with the Nigeria Medical Association and NARD stated that their sole hope for 2026 was for Tinubu to put current policies and accords into action.
The president of the NMA, Professor Bala Audu, stated that fully executing current health policies is the most crucial action the Federal Government needs to undertake in 2026.
He stated that measures like the health workforce retention strategy, the National Health Act, and the president's drive for improving the healthcare supply chain have remained mostly not implemented despite being introduced many years ago.
He pointed out that stability within the industry and better access to high-quality medical care could only be attained if the government focused on implementation, stating that not doing so would lead to strikes being inevitable.
He emphasized that physicians' predictions for 2026 are not novel or exaggerated.
For physicians, and similarly for all medical professionals, there is just one significant requirement: the complete execution of current regulations.
"The effectiveness of any policy is pointless without proper execution. All the necessary changes we require are already present in existing policies. The issue lies in the lack of implementation," Audu stated.
The head of the NMA highlighted critical policies needing immediate attention, such as strategies for retaining staff and comprehensive healthcare changes that the administration has already endorsed.
Among these key elements is the policy aimed at retaining healthcare workers. There is also the National Health Act, something we are all acquainted with; what is needed now is proper execution.
"A presidential effort is underway regarding the development of the healthcare supply chain; this should also be carried out effectively. We are not seeking new policies or additional legislation. Instead, we urge the government to put into action the measures that are already in place," Audu said.
The head of the NMA pointed out that strikes carried out by physicians and other medical personnel seldom occur without prior planning, but rather stem from unaddressed pacts and extended issues with policies.
The events taking place in Nigeria are similar to those occurring in other nations. If you provide good inputs, you will receive positive outcomes. The strikes carried out by doctors and other medical professionals revolve around one main problem: the failure to implement previously approved policies.
"None of the current requests are novel. They are all matters that were previously accepted, yet remain uncarried out," he stated. The NMA president cautioned that failing to take action would maintain instability within the healthcare system, whereas executing these measures would rebuild trust and improve services.
"If the government does not carry out these agreements, unrest is bound to persist. However, if the government follows through with the decisions that have already been endorsed, the healthcare system will remain steady, allowing citizens throughout Nigeria to receive high-quality medical care," he stated.
Considering the condition of the healthcare system in 2025, Audu characterized the scenario as varied, especially when viewed through the eyes of those working at the front lines of medical care.
Although facing ongoing difficulties, he stated that medical personnel have kept providing care for Nigerians amid tough circumstances, despite the system struggling with underlying structural and policy issues.
Nevertheless, Audu cautioned that the continuous departure of qualified personnel keeps weakening the system's ability.
"The ongoing departure of qualified experts has led to significant challenges, restricting the ability of remaining staff to deliver the standard of care for which they were educated. Essentially, the system is becoming more hindered by staffing gaps," he stated.
From his side, the president of NARD, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, called on the FG to focus on the well-being of medical professionals.
He expressed sorrow that various payments, such as wages and back promotions, remain unpaid to physicians.
There are outstanding promotions from 2020, 2018, and 2017 that remain unpaid. There are wage backlogs spanning between four months and more than 20 months for individuals who have completed their work but have not received payment. Specialized allowances are also still pending.
In 2026, NARD calls for the government to focus on improving the well-being of healthcare workers. A strong workforce leads to a healthier Nigeria. The federal administration needs to intentionally redirect its efforts and implement policies that genuinely support the welfare of those in the health field—doctors, trainee physicians, and all individuals involved in healthcare—as we all reside in the same country. We shop at similar markets and encounter comparable financial challenges, despite having varying levels of education," he stated.
He further insisted on the adoption of the published professional allowance schedule.
The revised allowance table has been authorized, however we continue to be compensated according to the previous allowance system. The updated allowance is now legally binding, whereas the older version is unlawful. This adjusted professional allowance ought to have been put into effect from 2019 onwards. It was eventually fixed last month, but we were still paid for November without incorporating it.
"There is also the matter of initial job placements for physicians. The government decreased starting positions from CONMESS 3 to CONMESS 2. Subsequently, the Head of Service provided an explanation stating that medical professionals should remain under CONMESS 3; however, even now, individuals are still being registered under CONMESS 2—one step below their rightful classification. This means a reduction of approximately ₦120,000 to ₦250,000 per month, which is considerable," stated the NARD president.
Supplied by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
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