The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a stern call to the federal government to address longstanding financial and policy grievances affecting its members nationwide.
In a communiqué issued after its May Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) and Scientific Conference in Uyo, the association condemned the failure to pay specialist and accoutrement allowances, the non-payment of salary arrears, and the continued casualisation of doctors in tertiary health institutions.
Dr. Osundara Tope, NARD President, expressed frustration over the exclusion of resident doctors from receiving specialist allowances, despite their crucial roles in providing advanced medical care.
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He highlighted the unfair treatment and underpayment of doctors who, in many cases, function as specialists without receiving commensurate compensation.
The doctors’ body also criticised the failure of hospital chief executives to address the worsening conditions of service for resident doctors, citing persistent casualisation and the absence of meaningful welfare reforms.
According to the communiqué, these practices not only demoralise doctors but also contradict the objectives of the National Policy on Health Workforce, which advocates better incentives to retain skilled healthcare professionals.
A particularly sore point for the association is the federal government’s failure to implement consequential adjustments to the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), as required under a 2009 agreement.
NARD accused the government of shortchanging its members for over 16 years, saying the lack of implementation of salary reviews and unpaid 2024 allowances represents a breach of collective bargaining.
Furthermore, the association noted specific cases of poor treatment at institutions such as Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, where some resident doctors have reportedly gone unpaid for as long as 14 months. These delays, they said, compound the already dire morale and retention issues in the healthcare sector.
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NARD demanded the immediate settlement of arrears from the 25% and 35% revised CONMESS structure, full implementation of minimum wage adjustments, and payment of all accrued salary shortfalls.
The association warned that the federal government’s continued inaction could worsen the country’s already fragile healthcare system by driving more doctors out of public service.
