Anastasia Okechukwu ReportingÂ
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), On Saturday issued the Federal Government a two weeks ultimatum to review and increase the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).
The increment is said to be 200 per cent of the current gross salary of doctors and also be in addition to the new allowances included in the letter written to the Minister of Health in 2022 for the review of CONMESS.
This is made known in a communique signed by the President, Dr Innocent Orji; Secretary-General, Dr Kelechi Chikezie, and the Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr Musa Umar and issued at the end of the council meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) held in Abeokuta, Ogun state.
According to NARD, After several meetings with the Federal Government on the need to review CONMESS which was last reviewed over 10 years ago, nothing was done about it. Meanwhile, the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) on CONMESS stated clearly that the salary structure would be due for review after five years.
“The Federal Government has neither called NARD to the negotiation table nor taken any tangible step in addressing the issue.
“This is against the background of the dwindling economic situation in the country, the serial abysmal decline in the value of the Naira, the imminent removal of fuel subsidy and the consequent damaging effect on the cost of living in the country.
“There have been previous ultimatums issued to the government by NARD on account of this problem of the review of the CONMESS salary structure.”
The association lamented that since the implementation of CONMESS in 2014, though it approval was given in 2009, it has not been reviewed.
“NEC has resolved to issue the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum beginning on Saturday, April 29, to resolve all these demands, following the expiration of which on May 13, we may not be able to guarantee industrial harmony in the sector nationwide.”
The association also requested that the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) be paid immediately which is in accordance with the agreements reached at the stakeholders’ meeting called by the Federal Ministry of Health.
In addition, NARD pressed for the start of the payment of all salary arrears owed to its members, including those from 2014, 2015, and 2016, as well as the areas affected by the minimum wage’s ensuing adjustment.