ABUJA, Nigeria – The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, has flatly rejected the Federal Government’s offer of a 25% increase in the basic salary of doctors, along with a N25,000 accouterment allowance per quarter.
This rejection comes amidst NARD’s ongoing national indefinite strike, which began on July 26, in response to the government’s failure to meet the association’s demands.
In a stern statement, NARD’s President, Dr. Emeka Orji, expressed the association’s dissatisfaction with the government’s proposal.
ALSO READ: Tinubu Quarterly N25,000 Peculiar Allowance for Government Doctors
He said, “We observed the paltry 25 per cent increment in the basic salary of doctors as contained in the circular released by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) in the wake of the strike, as well as the accouterment allowance. NEC vehemently rejects the paltry 25 per cent increment, adding that her earlier demand is for full restoration of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure to its right value as at the time of the approval of the structure in 2009.”
The root of the dispute lies in the erosion of the value of doctors’ salaries since 2014, when the current salary structure was implemented.
According to the association, inflation, changes in the exchange rate, and rising fuel prices have significantly diminished the value of their compensation.
Dr. Orji highlighted the gravity of their demand: “Initially, before the removal of the subsidy, we demanded a 200 per cent salary increase. With the removal of subsidy and the fuel price, we have done the math again, which will be in the neighbourhood of more than 600 per cent as the increment required to take us back to the value of that salary in 2014. Right now, we are not talking of percentage again; let the government do the calculation and tell us what we are getting because what we are asking is full salary restoration, and not even an increment. This will help us tackle the brain drain in the country.”
In addition to the demand for salary restoration, the doctors have outlined several other pressing issues.
These include the immediate payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund, MRTF, issuance of a circular for replacement of departed medical staff, payment of salary arrears, and improvement in hazard allowances by state governments.
NARD also expressed opposition to the casualization of doctors in tertiary health institutions and called for the immediate release of Prof. Ekanem Philip-Ephraim of UCTH Calabar.
Additionally, they urged the government to enhance security measures to prevent future abductions.
The strike by resident doctors has further strained an already beleaguered healthcare system in Nigeria, causing anxiety among patients and their families.
As the strike continues, the Federal Government’s response in the coming days will be closely watched not only by the medical community but by a nation that depends on the services of these essential healthcare professionals.
The resolution of this dispute will undoubtedly set a precedent for labour relations and the state of healthcare in Nigeria, at a time when the public’s faith in the government’s commitment to the well-being of its citizens is on the line.
