The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has demanded the payment of its N25,000 quarterly accoutrement allowance for medical and dental doctors in hospitals, medical centres, and clinics in the federal public service.
The association made this known in a communique issued on Sunday at the end of its January National Executive Council (NEC) meeting and health summit held in Abuja between 30 January and 3 February 2024.
In 2023, the Federal Government approved the payment of N25,000 of peculiar allowance for medical and dental doctors in hospitals, medical centres, and clinics in the federal public service.
The government made this known in a letter dated 26 July 2023 and titled, “Accoutrement allowance for medical and dental doctors in hospitals, medical centres, and clinics in federal MDAs.’
The letter partly read, “The Federal Government has approved the payment of an Accoutrement allowance of N25,000.00 per quarter to Medical and Dental Doctors in hospitals, medical centres, and clinics in the Federal Public Service. The allowance is to be paid from the overhead budget.
“The approval takes effect from 1 June, 2023. All enquiries relating to this circular should be directed to the Commission.”
However, NARD in its communique noted that Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) and Medical Directors (MDs) of tertiary health institutions are yet to commence payment of the approved accoutrement allowance.
It said the NEC observed with dismay the non-compliance of the Federal Government and Ministry of Finance concerning the upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and other allowances.
It also noticed the non-compliance of CMDs/MDs of tertiary health institutions to commence payment of the approved accoutrement allowance.
It said NEC also observed with dissatisfaction the prolonged non-payment of skipping arrears due to her members and the delayed payment of salary and promotion arrears of some of her members.
The association urge the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to mandate CMDs/MDs of all tertiary health institutions to pay the Accoutrement allowance to its members as circularized.
“The NEC demands that all state Governors adopt the reviewed CONMESS and commence the process of implementation; calls on the government to expedite payment of all salary, and promotion arrears accruable to members,” It said.
The doctors also want the government and the Ministry of Finance to implement the upward review of CONMESS.
The resident doctors comprise the bulk of medical personnel in Nigeria’s tertiary hospitals.