NARD condemns sack of resident doctors in Kaduna, demands reinstatement
The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has strongly condemned the recent dismissal of some of its members by the management of Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital (BDTH), Kaduna, describing the move as unjustified and unexpected.
Dr. Abbas Ajayi, leader of NARD’s North-West Zonal chapter, expressed the association’s disapproval in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Kaduna. He stated that the sacked doctors were unfairly blamed for delays and setbacks beyond their control.
The hospital management had, on Monday, issued termination letters to the affected doctors, citing prolonged training durations and lack of academic progress. The letters, signed by Director of Administration Iliyasu Yusuf, referred to Sections 2 and 3 of the hospital’s residency training regulations. The management also demanded a refund of N501,000—representing 50 percent of the medical residency training fund paid from June to December—and requested the return of all hospital property in their possession.
Dr. Ajayi criticized the decision, noting that structural inefficiencies within the hospital were largely to blame for extended training periods.
“People will spend additional years in training through no fault of theirs. Proposals can sit unattended for months, and yet residents are blamed. It’s unacceptable,” he said. He also pointed out that the hospital only began residency training in 2018, making the claim of overstaying implausible.
Ajayi further alleged that the hospital uses sack threats as retaliation whenever residents go on strike.
Supporting this view, Dr. Josiah Yakubu, Chairman of the NARD chapter at BDTH, revealed that six doctors had received termination letters, while five others had resigned since February, many moving to states like Kano, Katsina, and Nasarawa for better opportunities.
“In a proper residency programme, doctors are sent for postings and rotations as part of their training. But because we are understaffed, rotations are delayed, and postings are blocked by management excuses,” Yakubu explained.
He disclosed that the association had met with the Secretary to the Kaduna State Government on Tuesday to seek resolution, but the government insisted the ongoing strike must first be called off and warned that “no work, no pay” would be enforced.
“All we are asking is for the government to hear us and meet our needs. This action shows a lack of appreciation for our contributions,” Yakubu said. “Let them bring back our members and hire more hands.”
Government intervenes, assures reinstatement
In a positive turn of events, Kaduna State Commissioner for Health, Hajiya Umma Ahmed, confirmed to NAN that an agreement had been reached between the state government and NARD.
“The meeting at the Office of the Secretary to the State Government was successful, and an amicable resolution has been reached. The affected doctors will be reinstated immediately,” she assured.
