NARD threatens indefinite strike at LUTH over call meal dispute

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a stern warning of an indefinite strike at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), citing the hospital's persistent failure to reinstate call meals for resident doctors.

NARD stated that the dispute has been ongoing for months and threatens to disrupt essential healthcare services at one of Nigeria's busiest tertiary hospitals if immediate action is not taken. In a statement signed by its national leadership, NARD accused the LUTH management of disregarding numerous complaints and a formal ultimatum previously issued.

The association recalled notifying the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on June 8, 2026, about the continued non-provision of call meals, a resolution stemming from their May Ordinary General Meeting in Kano. NARD had given the LUTH management a three-week deadline from June 6 to restore the meals, or face industrial action.

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The refusal to provide call meals to doctors who render essential and emergency healthcare services round the clock is not only insensitive and unacceptable but also a direct affront to basic standards of staff welfare, workplace dignity and institutional responsibility.

"The refusal to provide call meals to doctors who render essential and emergency healthcare services round the clock is not only insensitive and unacceptable but also a direct affront to basic standards of staff welfare, workplace dignity and institutional responsibility," the statement read. NARD emphasized that doctors working demanding shifts should not be denied this basic welfare entitlement, which has negatively impacted their morale, well-being, and productivity, potentially affecting patient care.

The union highlighted that this welfare concern arises at a critical time when Nigeria's healthcare sector is already strained by manpower shortages, heavy workloads, and the emigration of medical professionals. The Association of Resident Doctors at LUTH, in an emergency congress on June 17, unanimously resolved to support the national body's call for a strike if the issue remains unresolved. NARD urged the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare to intervene and direct the LUTH Chief Medical Director to restore call meals promptly, while cautioning against any form of victimization of doctors participating in lawful union activities.

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It is intolerable that doctors who undertake prolonged and demanding call duties in one of Nigeria’s foremost tertiary health institutions are still being denied such a basic welfare provision.