Resident Doctors Suspend Strike, Demand Payment of 19 Months’ Allowances

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned total and indefinite strike following renewed commitments from the Federal Government on salary payments, allowances, and welfare-related issues affecting medical professionals across Nigeria.

The decision was reached after an emergency virtual meeting of NARD’s National Executive Council (NEC) held on Saturday, where members reviewed ongoing negotiations with government institutions. The resolution was contained in a communiqué signed by NARD President Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman, Secretary-General Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity and Social Secretary Dr. Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim.

According to the association, the suspension followed engagements with key government stakeholders, including the Vice President’s office, the ministries of health, labour, and finance, the Budget Office, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, and other relevant agencies involved in health sector financing and administration.

NARD noted that there had been renewed assurances from the government regarding the implementation of the reviewed Professional Allowance Table (PAT), which is expected to reflect in April salary payments and beyond. The association also confirmed a reversal of earlier delays in implementation.

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Among its key demands, the association insisted on the immediate payment of all outstanding promotion arrears and salary backlogs, as well as urgent settlement of 19 months’ unpaid professional allowance arrears owed to members across various federal health institutions.

The doctors also called for the expedited release of funds under the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), stating that approval has already been secured and disbursement processes are expected to be completed without further delay.

Another major concern raised by the association is the continued delay in payment of house officers’ salaries, which it described as a recurring issue requiring urgent intervention. NARD urged the authorities to convene an emergency stakeholders’ meeting to resolve the matter and ensure timely remuneration of newly qualified doctors.

While the strike has been suspended, the association stressed that its demands remain in force and warned that progress will be closely monitored. It said the situation will be reviewed at its upcoming May Ordinary General Meeting in Kano, where further action could be decided depending on government compliance.

Healthcare analysts note that the suspension offers temporary relief to Nigeria’s already strained health system, which has faced repeated disruptions due to industrial disputes over welfare and funding challenges.

Resident Doctors Suspend Strike, Demand Payment of 19 Months’ Allowances

NAFDAC Busts Fake Alcohol Factories in Lagos, Seizes ₦350m Counterfeit Drinks

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered and dismantled two major illegal production sites involved in the counterfeiting and adulteration of alcoholic beverages in Lagos State, seizing fake drinks valued at about ₦350 million.

Acting on credible intelligence, enforcement operatives carried out coordinated raids at Zamfara Plaza in the Trade Fair Complex and on Lagos Island, where large-scale production and packaging of counterfeit alcoholic beverages were taking place.

At the Trade Fair Complex, officials discovered a fully organised illegal production setup equipped with plastic mixing tanks, improvised filtration systems, empty branded bottles, corks, and packaging materials used to mimic popular alcoholic brands. The facility was allegedly used to manufacture and distribute fake drinks to unsuspecting consumers across Lagos.

A second raid on Lagos Island led to the arrest of a suspect linked to the illegal production and distribution network operating through a retail outlet. Authorities confirmed that all recovered items were seized and evacuated for laboratory analysis and further regulatory action.

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According to NAFDAC, more than 1,800 cartons of counterfeit and adulterated alcoholic products were recovered during the operation, marking one of the agency’s significant recent enforcement breakthroughs in Lagos.

The agency warned that consumption of such adulterated alcoholic beverages poses severe public health risks, including poisoning, liver damage, kidney failure, and potentially death. It stressed that many of the products are produced under unhygienic and unsafe conditions without regulatory approval.

NAFDAC reiterated that the crackdown is part of a sustained nationwide campaign against food and drug counterfeiting, aimed at protecting public health and sanitising the supply chain for consumable goods in Nigeria.

The agency also warned producers, distributors, and retailers involved in such illegal activities to desist immediately, stating that offenders will face prosecution under existing food and drug safety laws.

Members of the public were urged to remain vigilant when purchasing alcoholic beverages, verify product authenticity, and report suspicious activities to the nearest NAFDAC office or through its toll-free line 0800-1-NAFDAC (0800-1-623322).

NAFDAC Busts Fake Alcohol Factories in Lagos, Seizes ₦350m Counterfeit Drinks

Global Condom Prices to Rise by 30% as Iran Conflict Disrupts Supply Chains

Global condom prices are expected to increase by up to 30% following severe disruptions in international supply chains linked to the ongoing Iran conflict, according to Malaysia-based Karex Berhad, the world’s largest condom manufacturer.

The company, which produces over five billion condoms annually for major global brands including Durex and Trojan, said rising production costs and logistics challenges have made a price hike unavoidable.

Karex also supplies condoms to public health systems such as the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) and supports United Nations-backed reproductive health programmes, making the disruption a major concern for global health supply chains.

According to Karex Chief Executive Officer Goh Miah Kiat, the Iran conflict has triggered a sharp increase in the cost of key raw materials used in condom production, including synthetic rubber, nitrile, silicone oil, and aluminium foil.

He explained that these materials are closely linked to petrochemical markets, which have been affected by rising global oil prices and instability in key shipping routes disrupted by the conflict.

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“The situation is fragile and costs are rising across the board. We have no choice but to pass these increases on to customers,” he said.

The company also reported major disruptions in global logistics, with shipping times to Europe and the United States now extending to nearly two months—about twice the normal delivery period. This has caused distributors to experience shrinking inventories and has forced many buyers to place bulk advance orders, further tightening global supply.

Karex said demand for condoms has also increased as governments and distributors rush to secure stock amid uncertainty in global freight movements. The company warned that developing countries are particularly vulnerable due to limited reserves and slower replenishment systems, raising concerns about access to essential reproductive health supplies.

Industry analysts say the disruption affecting global condom supply chains reflects a broader impact on medical and protective goods, including surgical gloves and other healthcare products that rely on similar petrochemical inputs.

Despite the challenges, Karex said it currently has sufficient stock to meet short-term demand and is working to expand production capacity to stabilise global supply. The company also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting public health programmes and international aid partners while navigating ongoing market instability.

Global Condom Prices to Rise by 30% as Iran Conflict Disrupts Supply Chains