The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has called on the Federal Government to swiftly pay its unsettled Medical Residency Training Funds (MRTF).
The outstanding allowances include the 2023 and 2024 MRTF and the arrears of the 2022 MRTF.
NARD also expressed dissatisfaction with the failure to pay the overdue salary structures and the upwardly revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure wage arrears.
At a press briefing held on Saturday following their 2025 January National Executive Council Meeting in Abuja, with the sub-theme “Building resilience as strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system for effective disaster and disease management” and the main theme “Empowering doctors with leadership and entrepreneurship skills: A panacea for universal health coverage and a brighter healthcare system,” the doctors made this known.
NARD President Dr Tope Osundara said at the briefing that the council did appreciate the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s efforts to organise a stakeholders’ meeting to discuss MRTF-related issues.
“The NEC observed with dismay the persistent short-changing of our members over the past five years, as there have been no consequential adjustments to the CONMESS basic salary and allowances, in clear violation of the provisions of the 2009 collective bargaining agreement.
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“The NEC appreciated the Chief Medical Directors who have been fully paid the Accoutrement Allowance arrears. The NEC expressed concern about the persistent manpower shortage in most hospitals. The NEC has observed some of the positive strides that the CMD of Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital Complex, Prof John Okeniyi, has made towards ensuring and maintaining industrial peace within the hospital.
“The NEC commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike, for ensuring the payment of all outstanding salaries and allowances, the disbursement of MRTF, and the employment of doctors in the FCT. The NEC observed the persistent drift of specialized medical manpower in privately-owned teaching hospitals due to poor remuneration,” Osundara said.
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He noted that the council resolved that the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria should expedite the payment of the 2025 MRTF, ensure the settlement of the outstanding 2023 and 2024 MRTF, and facilitate the payment of the 2022 MRTF arrears in line with the stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
“The NEC urges the FG to promptly pay the arrears of the upwardly revised CONMESS, bad other outstanding salary arrears without any further delay. The NEC demands the full implementation of the consequential adjustments for the 2019, and 2034 minimum wage on our basic salary, and allowances, along with the payment of the accrued arrears.
“The NEC mandates the National Officers Committee to continue engagements with the FG. If there is no significant response after six weeks, the NEC will call an emergency NEC to reappraise the situation. The NEC demands that all CMDs/MDs complete the payment of the 2023/2024 accoutrement allowance arrears and that the government promptly process and pay the 2025 accoutrement allowance arrears.
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“The NEC calls for sustained engagement with the Federal Ministry (Health and Social Welfare) to ensure the seamless and continuous employment of doctors in our health institutions, helping to mitigate the ongoing brain drain,” he emphasised.
He highlighted that the council enjoined the Ministry of Health and the CMD of OAUTHC to address ongoing issues impacting the welfare of resident doctors, including the payment of unpaid salary arrears, the reversal of salary deductions, and the large-scale recruitment of more resident doctors into the hospital.
He added that the NEC urged state governors to prioritise the welfare of doctors in state-owned hospitals, and training institutions to reduce brain drain and foster industrial harmony.
He said the council also called on CMDs/CEOs of privately-owned teaching hospitals to improve welfare packages for resident doctors to prevent brain drain.
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