By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, has issued a two week ultimatum warning to the Federal Government to fix the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, CONMESS , demands or face a nationwide strike.
This was contained in Communiqué jointly signed by the NARD , Dr. Orji Innocent, Secretary General Dr. Chikezie Kelechi and Publicity Secretary Dr. Umar Musa issued at the end of Extra – Ordinary National Executive Council, NEC, held at the Federal Medical Center, FMC, Abeokuta, Ogun State on the 27th—29th April 2023.
The two week ultimate warning which began on 29th April 2023, NARD said is to resolve all demands before the expiration on 23th May 2023, and if unresolved would lead to industrial disharmony in the health sector.
NARD urged the government to commence the payment of all salary before 13th May, 2023 or face a nationwide strike action.
It condemned the refusal of government to pay salary arrears of 2014 , 2015and 2016 to doctors and the adjustment of the minimum wage and refusal to provide at least 25% budgetary allocation to the health sector .
The Association called on the Federal Government to look into other serious burning issues such as poor enumeration , gross inadequate funding of the health sector affecting the welfare of doctors and other health care workers.
The Association frowned at the government’s infringement on the Collective Bargaining Agreement, CBA, Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, CONMESS, of doctors over the last five years since the approval and implementation in 2014.
Meanwhile, NARD also demanded the immediate withdrawal of the UK ban Bill on Nigerian doctors sponsored at the National Assembly.
We demand immediate withdrawal and jettison of the ill-conceived Bill by Hon. Ganiyu Johnson on enslavement of young doctors in Nigeria by restricting their fundamental human rights band freedom of choice or movement, the Association said.
