NARD condemns sack of resident doctors in Kaduna, welcomes reinstatement deal

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has strongly condemned the dismissal of several of its members by the management of Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital (BDTH), Kaduna.

The association described the move as unjust and unexpected.

Dr. Abbas Ajayi, Chairman of NARD’s North-West Zone, voiced the association’s displeasure said the hospital’s decision, which he said lacked fairness and due consideration.

Earlier this week, BDTH management issued termination letters to some resident doctors, citing that the affected individuals had exceeded the maximum duration for their residency training.

The hospital alleged that the doctors also failed to show sufficient academic progress, as required by Sections 2 and 3 of the institution’s residency training regulations.

The termination letters, signed by the hospital’s Director of Administration, Illiyasu Yusuf, further instructed the doctors to refund N501,000—representing 50% of the Medical Residency Training Fund paid to them between June and December—and to return all hospital property in their possession.

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In response, Dr. Ajayi dismissed the management’s claims, arguing that the hospital lacked clear training structures and timelines.

“Some residents are delayed through no fault of theirs.

“Proposals can sit unattended for months, and yet the residents are the ones penalized,” he said.

He also noted a pattern where management issues sack letters whenever doctors embark on industrial action.

Highlighting the hospital’s short history, Ajayi added: “BDTH has only been running a residency programme for eight years.

“It is illogical to say anyone has overstayed their training when the programme started in 2018.”

Dr. Josiah Yakubu, Chairman of the BDTH chapter of NARD, disclosed that six doctors had received termination letters, while five others had resigned since February, many leaving for better opportunities in Kano, Katsina, and Nasarawa states.

Yakubu pointed out the ongoing challenges within the hospital’s residency programme, including staff shortages, delayed postings, and rotation interruptions.

“You can have just two or four doctors in a department, and due postings are delayed due to administrative excuses,” he explained.

He also noted that the association met with the Secretary to the State Government on Tuesday, where they were asked to suspend their strike before negotiations could continue.

“We were threatened with a ‘no work, no pay’ policy. All we want is to be heard and have our concerns addressed,” he said.

“This dismissal sends a message that our efforts are not appreciated.”

However, in a positive development, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Health, Hajiya Umma Ahmed, confirmed that an agreement had been reached between the state government and NARD.

“Following a successful meeting with the Secretary to the State Government, an amicable resolution has been achieved.

“The affected doctors will be reinstated immediately,” she announced.

NARD welcomed the agreement and urged the government to ensure a more supportive and transparent system for resident doctors moving forward.