The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has given the Federal Government a two-week deadline to address outstanding welfare and professional concerns affecting its members, warning that failure to act could lead to industrial action.

The ultimatum was contained in resolutions adopted at the association’s 46th Annual General Meeting held on Sunday in Calabar, Cross River State.

The resolutions were presented by NARD National President, Dr Ogar Idoko.

The association expressed concern over delays in implementing agreements previously reached with the Federal Government, describing the slow pace of execution as unacceptable.

It called for urgent action on issues including doctors’ remuneration, career advancement, professional allowances, excessive workload, staffing shortages and general welfare.

NARD also urged the government to conclude the review of existing salary and remuneration structures for medical practitioners, arguing that the current arrangements no longer adequately reflect prevailing economic conditions.

The resident doctors further demanded compensation for additional workloads arising from manpower shortages in hospitals.

They called for standardised guidelines for determining such compensation, as well as reliable data to establish the extent of duties performed beyond doctors’ normal responsibilities.

The association also raised concerns over attacks on healthcare workers and called for the effective implementation of existing policies and measures intended to protect medical personnel from assault in hospitals.

NARD further expressed concern over the continued migration of doctors and other healthcare professionals out of Nigeria, saying the trend had aggravated staffing shortages and increased the workload of doctors who remain in the country.

The association said the Federal Government must resolve the outstanding issues within two weeks to prevent the dispute from escalating into industrial action.