Resident Doctors Give FG 4-Week Deadline to Meet Demands

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has set a firm four-week deadline for the federal government to address several pressing issues affecting resident doctors nationwide.

This announcement followed NARD’s recent Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference, held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Key Concerns Raised by Resident Doctors

NARD highlighted multiple challenges that have long plagued resident doctors, including:

• Outstanding Salary Arrears: Many resident doctors have not received back pay owed from previous salary reviews, especially following the upward adjustment of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS). The implementation of consequential salary increases tied to the 2009 agreement remains stalled.
  
• Exclusion from Specialist Allowances: Despite their critical roles, resident doctors continue to be excluded from specialist allowance payments, which other medical professionals receive as recognition for their expertise.
  
• Casual Employment and Poor Pay: The association criticised the ongoing use of casual contracts for doctors in tertiary hospitals, resulting in inadequate pay and job insecurity.
  
• Unpaid Accoutrement Allowances: The federal government has yet to settle the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears. Additionally, some hospital managements have refused to disburse already approved payments to doctors.
  
• Delayed Salaries at OAUTHC: Doctors and medical officers at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC) continue to experience significant salary delays, with some owed up to 14 months, including March 2024 salaries that remain unpaid.
  

Recognising Progress

While the association voiced serious concerns, it acknowledged recent progress made by government agencies, particularly in disbursing the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) for 2025 and clearing arrears from previous years.

Demands and Warning

NARD insists that the federal government must:

• Immediately pay the outstanding 25% and 35% CONMESS arrears.
  
• Implement the promised salary adjustments linked to the 2019 and 2024 minimum wage increments.
  
• Release the 2025 MRTF funds without further delay.
  
• Settle the 2023 and 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears.
  
• Include resident doctors in specialist allowance schemes.
  
• Regularise casual staff and ensure fair pay for locum doctors.
  
• Address welfare issues, especially at OAUTHC.
  

If these demands are not met within four weeks, the association’s leadership will review the situation and consider further actions to protect their members’ interests.