National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced plans to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike beginning November 1, 2025.
Gatekeepers News reports that the decision was reached after a five-hour emergency meeting of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) held on Saturday.
In a statement released on Sunday, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, NARD’s President, said the strike directive followed the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum earlier issued to the government over its failure to address its long-standing demands.
According to the association, the industrial action became inevitable due to the government’s alleged inaction on critical issues affecting medical practitioners and the healthcare system.
The doctors’ demands include a 200 percent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), full implementation of new allowances approved in July 2022, immediate employment of more clinical staff, and the removal of bureaucratic hurdles delaying the replacement of exiting doctors.
NARD stated, “The NEC has marshalled out minimum demands, strike monitoring directives, and ‘no work, no pay/no pay, no work’ resolutions needed for a successful execution of this action.”
Suleiman said National Officers Committee (NOC) has been authorised to oversee compliance across all health institutions, while centre presidents and general secretaries have been directed to convene emergency congress meetings to brief members on the resolutions.
The NARD president also accused some individuals within and outside government circles of plotting against resident doctors, describing such actions as evil and exploitative.
He added, “We will collectively resist any attempt to undermine or exploit our members.”
He advised doctors to use the days leading up to the strike to hand over patients properly, engage community and religious leaders, and enlighten the public on the reasons behind their action.
