Uko Okon
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has expressed deep dissatisfaction with the treatment they receive from the government despite their significant contributions to the healthcare system.
They equally decried the continued exclusion of members from paying specialist allowances despite performing specialist functions in various health institutions across the country.
This was contained in a communique issued at the end of the May Ordinary Meeting and Scientific conference, which was held in Uyo and had the theme “The Medical Profession: Policies, Politics, and Future Prospects.”
The communique was signed by the association’s president, Dr Osundara Tope, Secretary General Dr. Odunbaku Kazeem Oluwasola, and Public and Social Secretary Dr. Amobi Omoha, respectively.
The communique condemned the persistent casualisation and poor remuneration of members by the chief executives of tertiary hospitals.
“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.
“The OGM strongly condemns the continued and persistent casualisation and the consequent poor remuneration of doctors by the chief executives of tertiary hospitals .The meeting also expressed disappointment over the non-payment of arrears from the upward review of the CONMESS salary structure and other outstanding salary arrears,” the communique read.
He also expressed the association’s disappointment over the non-payment of arrears from the upward review of the CONMESS salary structure and other outstanding salary arrears of members.
The association condemned federal government’s failure to pay the 2024 Accouterments Allowance arrears and persistent shortchanging of it members for the past 16 years due to absence of consequential adjustments to the CONMESS structure, which it noted was a breach of the 2009 Collective Bargaining Agreement.
He further expressed disappointment over the lack of response to multiple correspondences on the issue, emphasising that this contradicts the National Policy on Health Workforce, which advocates improved incentives for retaining healthcare workers.
According to Tope, “The OGM notes with concern the persistent short-changing of members for 16 years, due to the absence of consequential adjustments to the CONMESS structure, in breach of the 2009 Collective Bargaining Agreement.
“This contradicts the National Policy on Health Workforce, which advocates improved incentives to retaining healthcare workers.
“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 Accoutrements Allowance arrears.”
The meeting further expressed displeasure over the delay in addressing welfare issues in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, including the non-payment of outstanding March 2024 salaries, the 7–14 months of arrears still owed to Residents and Medical Officers of the association
It therefore demanded immediate payment of the 25/35% upwardly revised CONMESS and other salary arrears and full implementation of consequential adjustments to the 2019 and 2024 minimum wage on basic salaries and allowances, along with accrued arrears.
