The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) sets a two-week ultimatum for the federal government to fulfill their demands.
The doctors had conducted a five-day warning strike due to the government’s failure to address their requests.
Their demands include increased recruitment of clinical staff and immediate improvement of hospital infrastructure. They are also demanding for allocation of at least 15% of the budget to healthcare.
They also seek prompt payment of the 2023 medical residency training fund (MRTF) and a 200% increment in the consolidated medical salary structure (CONMESS).
But, former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, met with the stakeholders. The parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), which led to the temporary suspension of the strike.
The association said the ordinary general meeting (OGM) in June will review the progress made during this period.
Change in parameters due to removal of fuel subsidy
However, in a recent extraordinary national executive council (NEC) meeting, NARD expressed disappointment over the government’s failure to implement the resolutions.
It added that the government failed to do this within the seven weeks since the warning strike ended.
The association also highlighted that the parameters for the minimum 200% increase in CONMESS have changed due to the removal of fuel subsidy and the significant rise in the overall cost of living.
“Using the current parameters, for us to be returned to the same expenditure level of CONMESS when it was implemented in 2014, an upward review to the tune of 550% is required,” the communique reads.
“NARD demands the immediate payment of all salary arrears, implementation of the CONMESS salary structure and new hazard allowance and domestication of the medical residency training act.
“NARD also demands payment of the medical residency training fund to our members in the state tertiary health institutions nationwide.
“NEC hereby wishes to further extend her already expired ultimatum issued to the government by 2 weeks with effect from today 5th July 2023.
“The NEC of NARD insist on the immediate implementation of minimum of 200% increment in the CONMESS salary structure and upward review of the associated allowances as requested in her previous letters on the subject matter, since the current economic realities in the country cannot justify the continued payment of CONMESS as it is at the moment or any increment below the 200% as demanded.
“To emphasize, if all these demands are not met by the 19th of July 2023, we cannot guarantee nationwide industrial harmony in the health sector.