The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) strike which began 13days ago has grounded services in major hospitals, with only skeletal services being offered by consultants, nurses, and auxiliary staff, leaving patients stranded.
Avisit to hospitals in Abuja and Lagos this week revealed near-empty wards and frustrated patients returning home without treatment.
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Meanwhile, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, who spoke at the opening session of the 2025 Joint Annual Review (JAR) of the Health Sector on Wednesday, appealed to striking resident doctors to “put the Nigerian person at the centre of attention”, expressing concern over its impact on the public health system.
In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), two major district hospitals, Maitama and Wuse, were unusually quiet on Thursday, with empty hallways and minimal staff presence.
At the Maitama District Hospital, the once-bustling corridors were quiet. Only a handful of patients were seen at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) unit, while the Nutrition and Paediatric (NPI) section was the busiest, filled with mothers and babies waiting for check-ups.
The General Outpatient Department (GOPD) recorded minimal activity, with just a few people waiting to be attended to. Only a few nurses were present at the Emergency Department, tending to one patient.
Other departments, including Laboratory and Radiology, were partially open but functioning below normal capacity.
A security officer at the entrance said no doctors had been on duty since the strike began.
“You can go inside, but there are no doctors around. It’s only a few patients here, being attended to by nurses,” he said.
A nurse also confirmed that only a handful of consultants were on the ground to attend to patients, noting that most departments were functioning below capacity.
The situation was worse at Wuse District Hospital, where most departments were completely deserted. The Antenatal Department was empty, and only a few patients were seen at the card registration unit.
The Mother and Child Unit and the Emergency Ward were also deserted, while the in-patient pharmacy was locked during the visit.
At Asokoro District Hospital, activities appeared to be running in some departments. The eye clinic and immunisation unit were functional, with patients waiting to see doctors and babies being attended to. However, the GOPD was empty.
In Lagos, patients at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) expressed frustration as their appointments were cancelled or postponed indefinitely.