Doctors give Fed Govt four-week ultimatum to address demands

In a communique issued at the end of the conference, NARD acknowledged some progress the Federal Government and relevant agencies have made, particularly in the ongoing disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) for 2025 and the clearance of MRTF arrears from 2022 to 2024.

The association, however, expressed disappointment over a range of outstanding issues, particularly the non-payment of arrears resulting from the upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), and the government’s failure to implement long-promised consequential salary adjustments that date back to 2009.

It condemned the persistent exclusion of resident doctors from specialist allowances, despite their critical role in delivering expert medical care in tertiary hospitals across the country.

NARD described the continued casualisation of doctors and the resulting poor remuneration by heads of tertiary health as unacceptable.

The OGM noted that for over 16 years, resident doctors have endured stagnant salaries without adjustments that are commensurate with inflation or policy changes in an alleged breach of the 2009 Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The unaddressed concerns, NRD said, contradicted the government’s National Policy on Health Workforce, which calls for better incentives to retain healthcare workers.

The association expressed concern over the situation at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), alleging that resident doctors and medical officers there were owed between seven and 14 months in salary arrears.

The association condemned the Federal Government’s failure to pay the 2024 accouterment allowance arrears and the refusal by some Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) to comply with payments already approved.

But it hailed some state governments for their progressive health sector reforms and prompt payment of allowances. These include Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Abia, Benue, Kwara, Enugu, and Delta states.

NARD demanded the immediate payment of the 25/35 per cent CONMESS salary arrears; full implementation of consequential salary adjustments to reflect the 2019 and 2024 minimum wage increases; expedited disbursement of the 2025 MRTF to all eligible doctors; and full settlement of the 2023/2024 accouterment allowance arrears by CMDs and the Federal Government, among others.

NARD said it gave the government a four-week window to address all pending issues.

The association said its National Officers’ Committee would continue engagements with relevant authorities in the course of the time.

“Failure to achieve satisfactory progress will prompt the National Executive Council (NEC) to reassess the situation and determine the next course of action,” the communique said.