By Our Correspondent in Abeokuta
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has given the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to increase the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).
NARD gave the deadline in a communique issued at the end of its extraordinary meeting, held on Saturday in Abeokuta.
The NewsZenith reports that NARD President, Secretary-General and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr Innocent Orji, Dr Kelechi Chikezie and Dr Musa Umar respectively signed the communique.
NARD is seeking a 200 per cent increment on the current gross salary of doctors.
The increment should be in addition to the new allowances earlier demanded by NARD in 2022.
Despite several engagements with the Federal Government on need for upward review of CONMESS, it said there were no changes.
It claimed that the government reviewed CONMESS over 10 years ago.
“The Federal Government has neither called NARD to the negotiation table nor taken any tangible step in addressing the issue.
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“This is against the backdrop of dwindling economic situation in the country and declines in the value of Naira,” NARD stated.
It added that it had previously issued ultimatums to the government on the need to review the CONMESS salary structure.
“NEC has resolved to issue the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum beginning from Saturday, April 29.
“Following the expiration on May 13, we may not be able to guarantee industrial harmony in the sector nationwide.”
NARD is also demanding immediate payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).
It said this was in line with the agreements reached at stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Federal Ministry of Health.
It further demanded payment of all salary arrears owed to its members in 2014, 2015 and 2016 as the consequential adjustment of the minimum wage.
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