We will go on strike if you intimidate doctors — NARD warns LUTH

By Precious Mark

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has warned the management of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, against the intimidation of striking resident doctors, threatening to shut down operations across South-West healthcare facilities if harassment persists.

The Association issued the warning on Tuesday in a solidarity statement jointly signed by its National President, Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman, and Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim.

The national body directed all members of the LUTH chapter to stay off duty and remain at home, clarifying that only executive members and designated strike-monitoring teams are permitted on hospital grounds.

Reacting to reports that unit consultants and heads of departments (HODs) were threatening striking doctors to break ranks, NARD disclosed that it had alerted the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) to rein in its members.

“This moment marks the beginning of the fight against the protracted injustice perpetuated by the management of LUTH.”

“It has come to our notice that some members are being intimidated with threats from unit consultants and HODs to break ranks. Let it be known: we are watching, and we will not tolerate intimidation or sabotage,” the statement read.

The association warned that if the harassment continues, it will mobilize resident doctors across the South-West region to converge on LUTH for a one-week peaceful demonstration beginning August 1, 2026.

Calling for urgent intervention, NARD appealed to the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and the Lagos State Government to address the underlying welfare issues to prevent a full-scale national industrial crisis.