The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced a major breakthrough in the protracted employment crisis affecting healthcare workers in federal tertiary health institutions, declaring that pressure mounted by the association has finally yielded results.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, NARD disclosed that the Federal Character Commission (FCC) has directed Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) of 12 affected federal hospitals to report to the commission and collect Letters of Compliance, a critical requirement for the completion of recruitment processes and issuance of appointment letters to healthcare workers.
The development comes barely weeks after the association issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding intervention over delays in the release of the compliance letters that had stalled employment processes in several institutions.
NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman, described the directive as a significant milestone in resolving the lingering recruitment bottlenecks that have left many healthcare professionals in limbo.
According to the association, the Chairperson of the FCC, Hon. Motunrayo Hulayat Omidiran, has instructed the affected hospitals to immediately conclude all outstanding procedures required for the issuance of appointment letters once the compliance documents are collected.
“This development is a welcome and significant step towards resolving the lingering employment challenges affecting our colleagues,” the association said.
With the breakthrough secured, NARD urged presidents of its branches in the affected hospitals to intensify engagement with their respective CMDs to ensure the prompt collection of the compliance letters and speedy completion of all recruitment formalities.
The doctors’ body also credited the intervention of the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Prof. Afekhide Ernest Omoti, for helping to break the deadlock.
NARD praised Omoti for what it described as his “timely intervention, strategic engagement with the FCC Chairperson, and commitment towards ensuring that the right thing was done in the interest of healthcare workers and the Nigerian health sector.”
The association further applauded members at its recent Ordinary General Meeting (OGM), noting that the collective decision to issue an ultimatum to the government played a key role in forcing action on the matter.
“We commend the collective resolve, support and solidarity of the NARD OGM, whose decisions continue to produce tangible results and positive outcomes for our members nationwide,” the statement added
