Health

Resident Doctors Issue 10-Day Strike Ultimatum over Unmet Demands

By Web News 374

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, has issued a fresh 10-day ultimatum to the federal government and other relevant authorities, warning of an imminent nationwide strike if its outstanding demands are not addressed.

The resolution is contained in a communiqué signed by NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara; General Secretary, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Omoha Amobi, following an Extraordinary National Executive Council, E-NEC meeting held virtually on Sunday.

The association recalled that, it had in July given a three-week ultimatum before extending the deadline by another three weeks to allow for further dialogue with stakeholders.

However, it expressed disappointment that the government has yet to fulfill its promises.

According to NARD, many resident doctors are still unpaid for their 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, MRTF.

It also decried the failure to settle five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, CONMESS, review, along with other longstanding salary arrears.

The doctors further condemned the non-payment of the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance, as well as what they described as the “unjust downgrading” of membership certificates of the West African Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN.

They also faulted the persistent delay in issuing certificates to successful candidates by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, NPMCN.

On state-level issues, NARD criticized the Kaduna State Government for failing to honour agreements with members at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, despite signed Memoranda of Understanding.

I’mIt also accused the Oyo State Government of neglecting the welfare concerns of doctors at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho, where an indefinite strike is ongoing.

While commending states that have paid the 2025 MRTF, the E-NEC demanded immediate action from the Federal Government and state governors.

Among its key demands were immediate payment of the 2025 MRTF to all eligible resident doctors; Settlement of outstanding five months’ arrears of CONMESS and other salary backlogs; Payment of the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance and commencement of specialist allowance payments to all doctors.
Others are the restoration of recognition for the West African postgraduate membership certificates by the MDCN, prompt issuance of membership certificates by the NPMCN and implementation of the 2024 CONMESS in Kaduna State and resolution of welfare concerns in Oyo State.

The communiqué emphasizes that all state governors must prioritize the welfare of doctors to curb emigration and ensure industrial harmony in the health sector.

“The E-NEC extends the ultimatum by a final 10 days to all relevant government agencies to meet these demands. Failure to do so by Wednesday, September 10, 2025, will leave us with no option but to embark on a nationwide strike,” the association warned.

Vanguard/Adetutu Adetule/Taiwo Akinola

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Health

NMA Urges Govt to Employ 600L Med Students, Pay CONMESS, CONHESS

By Web News 670

By Fasilat Lawal

Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Oyo State Chapter Chairman, Dr Wale Lasisi has advised Federal Government to consider employing 600 Level medical students that will be paid stipends to address brain drain in the country. 

Dr Lasisi stated this while speaking to newsmen as parts of activities marking Physician Week in the State.

He explained that the stipends would be a form of bond that would not allow medical students to relocate abroad for a period of time instead of giving liberty to hospitals to employ the services of retired medical doctors to Bridge the syndrome of travelling massively.

He expressed reservation on the widely reported cases of organ harvesting in the country, called for more investigation on the practice in the country.

The NMA 2023 Physician Week activities include opening ceremony, free medical outreach and physician heal thyself.

In a related development, NMA has called on government to immediately commence the payment of the recently CONMESS and CONHESS salary structures with arrears to medical workers.

President of NMA, Dr Uche Ojinmah made the call at a news Conference organised to commence the 2023 physicians week held at NMA House, Total Garden, Ibadan.

The NMA President whose message was read by Chairman, NMA , Oyo State Chapter, Dr. Wale Lasisibsaid the call became imperative to ensure non interference of health care delivery appealed to Oyo State Government to approve and immediately implement the upward review of hazard allowances for State Doctors and other health care workers in the State as applicable in most states.

Dr. Ojinmah expressed dissatisfaction over the Persistent attempt by certain individuals especially as it relates to board licensing of foreign trained medical graduates, calling on National Assembly to resist being used under any guise to compromise the quality of health care delivery in Nigeria.

The NMA President implored Doctors to always take care of their health in other to deliver care of the highest standard to patients and be more patient with their patients saying Nigerians are passing through trying times.

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Health

NARD Hails Kogi Governor On implementation Of CONMESS

By Web News 701

Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), has commended Kogi State Government for the implementation of the 2014 revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), and proper placement of doctors in the State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja, and in other state-owned hospitals.

In a statement jointly signed by the Leader of North Central Caucus of the Association, Dr. Abdulquadri Idrisu and his deputy, Dr. Emmanuel Kelvin, the Association notes that in the last one year, NARD had reached out to the government on various times on the need to implement the medical salary scale.

While thanking Governor Bello for his understanding, the group further commended his giant strides on infrastructural development particularly in health sector since he assumed office and urged him to sustain the efforts.

The statement notes that the implementation of the medical salary scale is a relief for the state resident doctors which will go a long way in addressing some challenges in health sector.

Members of the Association also assured Governor Bello of their total commitment for effective service delivery in saving the lives of the people of the state. 

Olaolu Fawole