THE Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has called on the Federal Government to immediately settle specialist allowances and outstanding salary arrears owed to its members.
Speaking during a press conference in Uyo, on Saturday, May 31, the association’s president, Tope Osundara, decried the continued exclusion of resident doctors from the payment of specialist allowances, despite their active roles in delivering critical care across various health institutions.
The press briefing followed the May Ordinary General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the association, themed “The Medical Profession: Policies, Politics, and Future Prospects.”
A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting outlined the frustrations of the association, including the “persistent casualisation and poor remuneration of resident doctors by chief executives of tertiary hospitals.”
The NARD also condemned the non-payment of arrears arising from the upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).
“The OGM observed with disappointment the continued exclusion of resident doctors from the payment of specialist allowances, despite their active role in delivering specialist care across various health institutions,” part of the communique, as read by the president, said.
Osundara further expressed dissatisfaction over the failure of the Federal Government to pay the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears and the lack of consequential adjustments to the CONMESS structure for over 16 years.
He said the omission breached the 2009 Collective Bargaining Agreement.
He also criticised the government for ignoring multiple correspondences on the issue over the past six months, warning that the neglect contradicted the National Policy on Health Workforce.
“The OGM is dismayed at the lack of response to multiple correspondences sent over the past six months regarding the consequential adjustments.
“The OGM condemns the Federal Government’s failure to pay the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance arrears,” he said.
The NARD also highlighted welfare issues at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, including the non-payment of March 2024 salaries and arrears and medical officers, with some allegedly pending for up to 14 months.
The association called for immediate payment of arrears related to the 25/35 per cent upwardly revised CONMESS salary structure and other outstanding salary arrears.
It also demanded full implementation of consequential adjustments to the 2019 and 2024 minimum wage on basic salaries and allowances, alongside all accrued arrears.
Mustapha Usman is an investigative journalist with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: musman@icirnigeria.com. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M