ARD-COOUTH To Join NARD’s Jan. 12 Strike Action
The Association of Resident Doctors, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (ARD-COOUTH) Branch has said it will comply fully with the strike directed by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
ARD-COOUTH declared it’s position in a communiqué issued after an Emergency General Meeting (EGM) held to deliberate on the proposed total, indefinite and comprehensive strike by the national leadership.
The communiqué signed by Dr Joy Okwumuo and Dr Albert Okoye, President and Secretary of ARD-COOUTH was made available to journalists in Awka on Saturday.
NARD had in November 2025 suspended its nationwide strike after 19 days following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Government.
ARD-COOUTH said it had resolved to comply fully with the NARD directive for members to down tools when it resumed the industrial action on Jan.12 2026 over unpaid salary arrears, allowances, unresolved welfare and career progression-concerns.
The doctors appealed to members to remain steadfast, united, and resolute throughout the period of industrial action.
“After extensive deliberations, Congress unanimously resolved to fully comply with and join the nationwide strike action in solidarity with NARD, standing together as one united union, it said.
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ARD-COOUTH said the resumed strike would also be used to draw the attention of management to demands which were internal to them including substandard or absent call rooms lacking basic amenities and appropriate infrastructure.
The doctors also lamented the living conditions of house officers in the House Officers’ Quarters, who lack regular electricity, water supply and standard call-duty meals.
The said the hospital lacked adequate manpower, resulting in excessive workload for doctors as well as lack of consultants in several subspecialties, which had disrupted residency training
“Failure to pay Specialist Allowances to some registrars, non payment of outstanding CONMESS arrears, accoutrement and promotion allowances.
“Lack of accreditation in some departments, a prolonged issue that has hindered residents’ full participation in training programmes and adversely affected members due for postgraduate examinations.
“Absence of gratuity and pension schemes for deserving doctors upon retirement and non implementation of the most recent CONMESS allowances,” it said.
The Medical Doctors said the unresolved issues had continued to undermine the welfare, morale, and professional development of doctors in COOUTH, with negative consequences for healthcare delivery and patient care.
“Recall that when this strike was declared by NARD last year, COOUTH did not join because management promised to address some of our demands but no item in the agreement was granted, so we have to join this time and even if they call it off, we will continue until our demands are met.
“We appeal to the appropriate authorities to urgently address these concerns to ensure industrial harmony, sustainable medical training, and the overall health of the nation.
