Resident Doctors Demand Reinstatement of Sacked Colleagues at Lokoja Teaching Hospital
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has again urged the Federal Government to reinstate five of its members who were allegedly dismissed by the management of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja (FTHL), Kogi State.
The affected doctors were reportedly sacked between October 2024 and August 2025 under the administration of the hospital’s former Chief Medical Director, Dr. Olatunde Alabi, for what the association described as victimisation over union-related activities.
Speaking at a press conference in Lokoja on Tuesday, NARD President, Dr. Muhammed Suleiman, said the union had reached a breaking point, stressing that the dismissed doctors had been unemployed for over a year.
“Today marks the 18th day of the 30-day ultimatum NARD gave to the Federal Government to meet our demands,” Suleiman said. “Among these demands is the reinstatement of the five doctors sacked at FTH Lokoja.”
He listed other pending issues to include the payment of long-overdue promotion and salary arrears dating back five years, as well as unpaid 25% and 35% salary increments and other entitlements.
Suleiman expressed concern over the worsening state of Nigeria’s health sector, noting that one doctor currently caters to over 9,000 patients, far above the World Health Organisation’s standard of one doctor to 600 people.
He urged the government to adopt a comprehensive approach in resolving the challenges facing the sector.
“The Federal Government must act fast to avert what could become a national health disaster,” he warned. “NARD is open to dialogue, but we need concrete action, not empty promises.”
Suleiman emphasised that reinstating the sacked doctors would help ease the workload on overstretched medical staff, who are already battling inadequate manpower in hospitals across the country.
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“We need these doctors back on duty. Their dismissal was unjust and has worsened the pressure on the few doctors left at FTH Lokoja,” he added.
He also called for the continuation of ongoing negotiations between the Federal Government and healthcare unions, saying such engagement remains key to halting the mass exodus of medical professionals abroad, popularly known as the japa syndrome.
“NARD is saying enough is enough. We cannot continue to lose doctors at this rate,” Suleiman stated firmly.
The NARD president, however, commended the new Acting Chief Medical Director of FTH Lokoja for his willingness to engage with the union and urged him to collaborate in ensuring justice for the affected doctors.
