Lafiya360 reports that the association stressed that the two weeks ultimatum, which ends on July 19, 2023, is meant to give the government time to begin implementation of the resolutions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreed on.
It stated that should the government fail to meet its demands by then, its members may embark on a nationwide strike.
NARD also expressed its worry and displeasure at the government’s inaction, despite the conciliatory meeting chaired by the then Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, seven weeks after, the government is yet to begin implementation.
Recall that on April 29, 2023, the association issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to meet its demands. The 14-day ultimatum ended on May 13, 2023. However, on Wednesday, May 17, the NARD began its five-day warning strike over unmet demands. The warning strike ended on Monday, May 22, at 8 am.
Chief among the association’s demands are: Among them are: 200 per cent review of their Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), issuance of a circular by the House of Representatives jettisoning the bill by Hon. Ganiyu Johnson, which seeks to stop young doctors from leaving the country without a five-year service period.
Other demands are: issuance of a circular by the Federal Ministry of Health for replacement of doctors and nurses that have left the system with new ones, and the payment of salary arrears, improvement in hazard allowance by state governments, among others.
After its virtual extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, the NARD issued a statement which was signed by its President, Dr. Emeka Orji.
It stated: “NEC demands the immediate payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) as contained in the approved 2023 budget in line with various agreements we’ve reached with the government.
“NEC calls on the government to without further delay pay all outstanding arrears owed our members including the hazard allowance and the skipping arrears of 2014 2016, and the arrears of consequential adjustment of minimum wage as there is no justifiable reason to keep owing these arrears and allowances.
“We demand the immediate release and the implementation of the guidelines on one for one replacement of clinical staff to cushion the effect of the massive manpower shortage in our various hospitals nationwide.
“NEC calls on the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to discontinue the downgrading of the membership certificate issued by the West African Postgraduate Medical and Surgical colleges as this is not obtainable in other parts of West Africa where these same certificates are issued.
“NEC 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 and payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund to our members in the State Tertiary Health Institutions nationwide.
“NEC observed with disappointment, the inability of the Government to upwardly review the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) in line with our letter to the Honourable Minister of Health dated 7th July 2022. NEC also observed that the parameters we used in arriving at a demand for a minimum of 200 per cent increase in CONMESS has significantly changed following the removal of fuel subsidy and the attendant massive increase in fuel price and general 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 per cent is required.
“Our members now find it difficult to transport themselves to work and carry out other numerous responsibilities required of them as Medical Doctors because of these factors.
“The NEC of NARD insist on the immediate implementation of minimum of 200 per cent 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 per cent as demanded.
“NEC observed with shock, the continued deplorable conditions of our members in the State Tertiary Health Institutions including Abia state, Imo state, Benue state, Nasarawa state, Kwara state, Bayelsa state, Ogun state and Federal Capital Territory, to mention but a few.
“For purposes of emphasis, at the expiration of this further extended ultimatum by 19th of July 2023, if all these demands are not met, we cannot guarantee industrial harmony in the Health Sector nationwide.”