The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a strong call for the immediate payment of outstanding arrears owed to its members, emphasizing the urgent need for action from the Federal Government.
This appeal was made in a communiqué issued at the conclusion of the 44th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scientific Conference of NARD, held between September 23rd and 28th, 2024, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Among the key issues discussed during the AGM were the non-payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) for 2024 and the remaining MRTF from 2023. The Association urged the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to expedite the settlement of the MRTF arrears and fulfill commitments made during a stakeholders’ meeting with the Federal Ministry of Health.
“We call on the government to ensure that all agreements made are honored,” the AGM stated. “It is crucial that all arrears, including those of the MRTF, be cleared immediately to uphold the welfare and productivity of our members.”
Additionally, NARD demanded that Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) of hospitals across the country clear the backlog of accoutrement allowance arrears owed to resident doctors.
The association also urged the Federal Government to fast-track the inclusion of the accoutrement allowance into the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) as approved in June 2024.
One of the most pressing demands in the communiqué was for the Federal Government to address the payment of arrears related to the upwardly revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and other unpaid salary arrears.
“It is critical for the government to ensure the payment of these arrears without delay, as our members have been financially strained,” NARD emphasized.
The AGM also criticized the high-handed policies of certain hospital leaders, specifically naming Dr. Olatunde Alabi, CMD of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, and Prof. John Akintunde Okeniyi, CMD of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife.
The AGM accused them of undermining the welfare of resident doctors and called for the immediate reversal of detrimental policies, such as unwarranted salary deductions and the stoppage of call meals.
“We condemn these anti-resident policies and demand a reversal of all measures that affect the welfare of our members. We expect that all outstanding salaries and allowances be paid without further delay,” the AGM stated.
The conference also highlighted concerns over the persistent manpower shortage in hospitals, exacerbated by the ongoing brain drain in the healthcare sector.
NARD urged the Federal Government to grant prompt waivers for tertiary health institutions to recruit new staff and address the widening manpower gap.
In addition to financial and welfare issues, the AGM expressed sympathy for flood disaster victims in Borno State and surrounding areas.
The association called on the government and well-meaning Nigerians to support affected communities through reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts.
In the closing remarks of the communiqué, NARD reiterated its commitment to monitoring ongoing welfare concerns in various hospitals and called for continued engagement with the Ministry of Health.
The Association also vowed to review the situation in five working days.
The AGM concluded with the election of new officers to steer the affairs of the association for the 2024/2025 year.
Dr. Osundara Tope Zenith was elected as President, while Dr. Abdulrauf Tajudeen emerged as First Vice-President, among other newly elected executives.
The conference, co-hosted by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) of the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, and the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, featured a series of impactful activities, including a medical outreach program, courtesy visits to key figures, and a press conference.
NARD remains resolute in its demand for improved welfare and the protection of its members’ rights, signaling that further actions will be taken if the Federal Government fails to address their concerns swiftly.
