Resident doctors want payment of N25,000 quarterly allowance

Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors is demanding the payment of its N25,000 quarterly accoutrement allowance for medical and dental doctors in hospitals, medical centres, and clinics in the federal public service.

A communique issued at the end of its January National Executive Council meeting and health summit held in Abuja from January 30 to February 3, 2024, with the theme, “Attaining Universal Health Coverage and Optimal Medical Training in the Face of a Challenging Economy; Could Technology be the Answer? Said, in 2023, the Federal Government approved the payment of N25,000 of peculiar allowance for medical and dental doctors in hospitals, medical centres, and clinics in the federal public service.

Meanwhile, NARD, in its communique signed by its President, Dr Dele Abdullahi; Secretary-General, Dr. Anaduaka Christopher; and Public & Social Secretary, Dr John Egbe, said, the Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of tertiary health institutions are yet to commence payment of the approved accoutrement allowance.

While commending the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory for the commencement of the payment of the reviewed CONMESS, accoutrement allowance, and promotion arrears to our members under its employment, the NEC said its members in Abia State University Teaching Hospital are still paid using the 2009 CONMESS salary structure and still owed 21 months’ salary arrears with no house officers and postgraduate college accreditation.

The group condemned the increasing rate of assault on its members in hospitals and called on the government to expedite the implementation of proffered solutions to the chronic manpower shortage and give clarity to the recent declaration of the Federal Executive Council on relief of waiver for recruitment from the Head of Service for prompt follow-up, while, also urging the government and the Ministry of Finance to implement the upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure.