The National Association of Resident Doctors, or NARD, has launched a complete and indefinite strike that will begin at midnight on Tuesday, April 7, accusing the Federal Government of inciting yet another preventable industrial crisis, posing a serious threat to Nigeria's already precarious healthcare sector.

The group vehemently denounced the Federal Government's decision to withdraw the Professional Allowance Table (PAT), calling it both "unfortunate" and unreasonable, during an Extraordinary National Executive Council (e-NEC) meeting that took place virtually on April 4.

NARD decided to launch a broad industrial action after what it called "extensive deliberations," cautioning that the government's conduct jeopardizes the stability of the country's health sector and the welfare of doctors.

The contentious elimination of the PAT, a crucial part of physician compensation, is at the center of the controversy. Along with the settlement of long-standing debts owing to its members, the group is calling for an immediate reversal of the policy.

In particular, NARD is demanding that the outstanding 19-month Professional Allowance arrears be cleared, that payments under the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) be completed immediately, and that promotion and salary arrears impacting doctors in various centers be promptly settled.

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