The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a new notice to the Federal Government, requiring it to meet its demands within two weeks or risk industrial unrest in the health sector.
This was stated in a communiqué issued by the association on Wednesday following its virtual Extraordinary National Executive Council Meeting (E-NEC).
The communiqué was signed by the National President of NARD, Dr Innocent Orji, Secretary-General, Dr. Chikezie Kelechi, and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr Umar Musa.
Reports show that members of the association embarked on a five-day warning strike on May 17 and also urged the Federal Government to address its concerns before May 29; otherwise, there would be industrial disharmony.
The strike began after a two-week ultimatum issued to the Federal Government on April 29 expired on May 13 without the issues being addressed. Members of the union, however, called a halt to the strike on May 21.
According to the communique, the NEC meeting was held to assess the level of implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Federal Government on May 19 following the association’s five-day warning strike on May 17.
It was also to discuss other pressing issues bordering on the welfare of NARD members.
It stated that “NEC hereby wishes to further extend her already expired ultimatum issued to the government by two weeks with effect from July 5, 2023.
“The NEC of NARD insists on the immediate implementation of a minimum of a 200 percent increment in the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and an 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 percent as demanded.
“For purposes of emphasis, at the expiration of this further extended ultimatum by July 19, if all these demands are not met, we cannot guarantee industrial harmony in the health sector nationwide.”
The resident doctors said it had been seven weeks since the end of the association’s five-day warning strike to press home its demands, but the resolutions of the conciliatory meeting chaired by the former Minister of Labour and Employment had not been implemented.
They were also concerned that the circular on one-for-one replacement of clinical staff who left the country’s various tertiary hospitals had not yet been released.
“NEC recalls that the conciliatory meeting agreed that the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation will release the implementation guideline on or before June 5 for onward transmission to the Tertiary Hospitals for implementation.
“This has not happened till now. Unfortunately, doctors and nurses in these tertiary hospitals continue to break down and suffer burnout effects, assaults, and harassment consequent upon the severe manpower shortage occasioned by this.”
It also stated that the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) had yet to be paid as agreed during the conciliatory meeting and that the skipping arrears had yet to be paid despite repeated requests.
Concerning the increase in CONMESS, the association stated that the parameters it used in arriving at a demand for a minimum of 200 percent increase had significantly changed as a result of the removal of fuel subsidies and the resulting massive increase in fuel prices and general cost of living.
It went on to say that under the current parameters, for members to be returned to the same expenditure level as when CONMESS was implemented in 2014, a 550 percent increase is required.
“Our members now find it difficult to transport themselves to work and carry out the numerous responsibilities required of them as medical doctors because of these factors.”
The association, on the other hand, demanded that all outstanding arrears owed to its members be paid immediately, including the hazard allowance and skipping arrears from 2014 to 2016, as well as the arrears of consequential minimum wage adjustment.
It also called for the immediate release and implementation of guidelines on one-for-one clinical staff replacement to mitigate the impact of the massive manpower shortage in hospitals across the country.