The Association of Resident Doctors, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (ARD-UCTH), has announced its decision to join the resumption of the nationwide strike declared by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), effective Monday, January 12, 2026.
The impending industrial action follows the failure of the Federal Government to fully implement the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with resident doctors in November 2025.
ARD-UCTH made this position known after an Emergency General Meeting (EGM) held on Monday, January 5, 2026, which was presided over by its 36th President, Dr. Ofem Ofem Ikpi.
According to the association, the strike—tagged TICS (Total, Indefinite and Comprehensive Strike) 2.0, with the slogan “No Implementation, No Going Back”—will only be suspended after the full implementation of the following minimum demands:
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Re-instatement of the FTH Lokoja Five.
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Payment of promotion and salary arrears.
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Full implementation of the professional allowance table, with arrears captured in the 2026 budget.
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Official clarification on skipping and entry-level issues by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) and SW to Chief Executives.
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Re-introduction and implementation of the Specialist Allowance.
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Resolution of House Officers’ salary delays and arrears, including issuance of a pay advisory.
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Re-categorization of membership certificates and issuance of certificates post Part I by NPMCN.
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Commencement of locum and work-hours regulation committees.
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Resumption and timely conclusion of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) process.
ARD-UCTH emphasized its solidarity with NARD and reiterated its commitment to protecting the welfare, professional dignity, and working conditions of her members, while urging the Federal Government to act swiftly to avert a total shutdown of health services in tertiary hospitals across the country.
