Resident Doctors React To FG’s 25% Salary Increase, Reject Offer

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has rejected the 25 per cent increment in the basic salary and accoutrement allowance for doctors, insisting on the full restoration of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure to its original value as of 2009.

The doctors emphasized that the ongoing nationwide total and indefinite strike will continue until the government makes reasonable progress in addressing their demands, as stated in their ultimatum issued to the federal government on July 5, 2023.

During their NEC meeting in Lagos, they issued a communique, labeling the 25 per cent increment as inadequate and maintained their stance on the strike.

The doctors demanded the immediate release of the circular on the One-for-One policy to replace exited clinical workers and expressed concern over the non-payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) despite promises from the government.

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They called for the payment of all salaries and arrears, hazard allowance, consequential adjustment of the minimum wage, and promotion arrears to their deserving members without further delay.

The NARD urged the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to reverse its decision to downgrade the membership certificate and called on specific state governors to address the welfare challenges faced by their members.

They strongly opposed the casualization of doctors in tertiary health institutions and demanded the unconditional release of their trainer, Prof. Ekanem Philip-Ephraim of UCTH Calabar.

Additionally, the NARD urged the federal government to find ways to alleviate the burden on Nigerians in the post-subsidy era and ensure that savings from the subsidy removal are utilized for the common good.

The association appealed to both the Federal and state governments to urgently address their demands to prevent further escalation of the ongoing industrial dispute in the health sector nationwide.