By ABIODUN LAWAL

The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, has announced that it will embark on a total strike on Monday over the Federal Government’s failure to meet the association’s demands.

Dr Quadri Olanipekun, the President ARD, FMC Abeokuta, disclosed this at a news conference in Abeokuta on Thursday.

Olanipekun explained that after exhaustive deliberations, members of ARD, FMC Abeokuta have unanimously resolved to embark on a total strike which he tagged: “No Implementation, No Going Back.”

He said that the association held an emergency meeting on Wednesday to review the status of implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and the federal government arising from NARD’s 19 demands.

According to the president, the demands addressed includes critical welfare, remuneration, and professional practice issues affecting members nationwide.

“The demands include persistent delay in transmitting the compiled promotion arrears owed to colleagues across several institutions to the budget office and the Federal Ministry of Finance for processing and immediate payment.

“The persistent delay in transmitting the compiled salary arrears owed to colleagues in some specific institutions to the budget office and the Federal Ministry of Finance for processing and immediate payment.

“Non-implementation of the approved professional allowance and non-capturing of accrued arrears in the 2026 National Budget.

“Persistent delay in the payment of House Officers’ salaries, the continued non-payment of salary arrears spanning one to six months.

“Persistent delay in progress on the regulation of locum engagements and prolonged work hours, despite earlier agreements on the establishment of appropriate task committees among others,” he said.

Olanipekun explained that the strike shall be binding on all members with no exception.

He noted that an enforcement and strike monitoring committee would be constituted to ensure strict compliance throughout the strike period.

“Members are strongly advised to refrain from all forms of clinical engagement or administrative assistance during the strike to preserve the collective objective and credibility of the action,” he said.

The president also disclosed that there would be a peaceful protest within the hospital on Monday if the demands were not met by the federal government. (NAN)