The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has threatened to boycott health and medical services over poor remuneration.
This was even as the doctors mandated the Federal Government to increase the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) at the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum on May 13, 2023, or risk nationwide strike.
To this end, they insisted that the increment should be 200 percent of their current gross salary, in addition to the new allowances included in the letter written to the Minister of Health in 2022 for the review of CONMESS.
This was contained in a communique issued on Saturday at the end of the extra-ordinary meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of NARD in Abeokuta, Ogun state.
It was signed by the President, Dr Innocent Orji; the Secretary-General, Dr Kelechi Chikezie, and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr Musa Umar.
NARD observed that despite several engagements with the Federal Government on the need for upward review of CONMESS, which was last reviewed over 10 years ago, that there was no positive changes.
It noted that the Federal Government had neither invited NARD to the negotiation table nor taken any tangible step in addressing the issue.
The association hinted that the review of CONMESS is essential given the dwindling economic situation, serial abysmal decline in the value of the Naira, removal of fuel subsidy and the damaging effect on the cost of living in the country.
It recalled that previous ultimatums were issued to the government on the review of the CONMESS, saying that the previous Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) on CONMESS stated clearly that the salary structure should be reviewed after five years.
"This has not been done since the implementation in 2014, though the approval was given in 2009.
"Therefore, NEC has resolved to issue the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum beginning on Saturday, April 29, to resolve all these demands, following the expiration of which on May 13, we may not be able to guarantee industrial harmony in the sector nationwide," NARD added.
It also demanded the immediate payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) in line with the agreements reached at the stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Federal Ministry of Health.
NARD requested the payment of all salary arrears owed to its members from 2014 till date, as well as the implementation of the consequential adjustment of the minimum wage.
NEC observed that many state governors are yet to implement the appropriate CONMESS structure, domesticate the Medical Residency Training Act (MRTA) or improve on the hazard allowance paid to doctors and other health workers while owing backlog of salary arrears.
The association kicked against the compulsory five-year service licensing of doctors as proposed by the House of Representatives and vehemently condemned the bill.
NARD noted that the bill would enslave young Nigerian doctors by restricting their fundamental human rights of freedom of choice and movement, adding that such would escalate brain drain in the health sector.
It sought the immediate withdrawal and jettisoning of the bill.
The group also demanded massive recruitment of clinical staff in the hospitals and complete abolishment of bureaucratic limitations for the replacement of doctors that left the system.
While requesting for more infrastructure in various hospitals, NEC insisted that 15 per cent of the national budget should be channeled to the health sector.
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