The House of Representatives’ proposed bill that requires medical and dental professionals with training in Nigeria to work for five years before receiving a full license has been challenged by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
In a statement released following the association’s emergency extended National Officers’ Committee (NOC) meeting, which essentially took place over the weekend, NARD clarified its position.
The resident doctors were shocked by the bill’s sponsor, Hon. Ganiyu Johnson, according to a statement acquired on Monday.
The doctors also criticised the Federal Government for failing to pay members’ salaries as the current administration progressively comes to an end.
“The extended NOC observed with shock and disappointment, the infuriating attempts by Honourable Ganiyu Abiodun Johnson and the Federal House of Representatives to enslave Nigerian-Trained Medical Doctors for five years post-graduation before they can be issued full practicing licenses or allowed to travel abroad if they so wished,” the communique read.
“The extended NOC decried the inability of the Federal Government to review the CONMESS salary structure despite several promises, even with the imminent change in Government.”
NARD also expressed concern over the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria’s downgrade of the West African Postgraduate Colleges’ membership certificate (MDCN).
Positively, it applauded the Ekiti and Bayelsa State Governments for adopting and implementing the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) and for paying the Ekiti State Government’s reviewed hazard allowance.
In order to analyse the problems brought up and decide on the best course of action, it promised to call a special National Executive Council Meeting within the next two weeks.