Chief Medical Directors Accused Of Exploiting Resident Doctors
The President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Dr Osundara Tope, has decried the alleged continued exclusion of resident doctors from specialist allowances despite their direct involvement in delivering specialist care across various health institutions in the country.
Tope disclosed this in a communiqué issued at the end of NARD’s May Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) and Scientific Conference, themed “The Medical Profession: Policies, Politics, and Future Prospects”, held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The communiqué was co-signed by Dr Tope, Secretary-General Odunbaku Kazeem Oluwasola, and Public and Social Secretary Amobi Omoha.
The association condemned what it described as the “persistent casualisation and consequent poor remuneration of doctors” by the chief medical directors of tertiary hospitals.
The doctors expressed dissatisfaction with alleged systemic neglect and institutional failure to address their long-standing welfare demands.
“The OGM observed with disappointment the continued exclusion of resident doctors from the payment of specialist allowances, despite their active role in delivering specialist care across various health institutions,” the communiqué read.
“The OGM strongly condemns the persistent casualisation and consequent poor remuneration of doctors by the chief executives of tertiary hospitals.
“The meeting also expressed disappointment over the non-payment of arrears arising from the upward review of the CONMESS salary structure and other outstanding salary arrears.”
The Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), which governs the salary framework for doctors, was revised upwards, but NARD said its members have not received arrears associated with the adjustments.
Further addressing the media, Tope voiced the association’s concern over the federal government’s failure to pay the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance arrears.
He added that resident doctors had been consistently shortchanged for 16 years due to the absence of consequential adjustments to the CONMESS structure—adjustments that were agreed upon in the 2009 Collective Bargaining Agreement.
According to him, this failure contradicts the National Policy on Health Workforce, which promotes improved incentives to retain healthcare professionals.
Dr Tope said, “The OGM notes with concern the persistent short-changing of members for 16 years due to the absence of consequential adjustments to the CONMESS structure, in breach of the 2009 Collective Bargaining Agreement.
“This contradicts the National Policy on Health Workforce, which advocates improved incentives to retain healthcare workers.
“The OGM is dismayed at the lack of response to multiple correspondences sent over the past six months regarding the consequential adjustments.
“The OGM condemns the Federal Government’s failure to pay the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance arrears.”
In addition to national issues, the association also highlighted localised concerns, particularly at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH).
According to the communiqué, doctors at the hospital continue to experience welfare challenges, including the non-payment of March 2024 salaries and several months of arrears owed to both resident doctors and medical officers. Some of these arrears reportedly date back 7 to 14 months.
NARD called for the immediate payment of all outstanding arrears, including those related to the revised 25/35 per cent CONMESS salary structure, other unpaid salaries, and full implementation of consequential adjustments to the 2019 and 2024 minimum wage increases.
The association stressed that resolving the issues is vital to preventing further demoralisation of its members and ensuring the sustainability of quality healthcare delivery in the country.
Chief Medical Directors Accused Of Exploiting Resident Doctors is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
