The Federal Government has been handed a 72-hour ultimatum by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to pay its members’ GIFMIS salary arrears and the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).
NARD stated that in order for the strike to end, the government must meet its minimum demands, which include the payment of withheld August and September salaries, the dismissal of the case against it in court, and the payment of salary arrears and allowances owed to its members in state tertiary health institutions, among other things.
Dr. Dare Ishaya, President of the NARD, made the announcement at the Association’s 41st Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scientific Conference in Bauchi.
They expressed their displeasure with the unfair hardship members of the GIFMIS platform are experiencing as a result of salary delays ranging from three to eight months.
He stated:
The AGM chastised the federal government for bringing NARD to court because of the ongoing strike to seek improvements in our members’ welfare.
The AGM also condemned the government’s failure to pay the Medical Residency Training Fund notwithstanding the government’s assurance that funds are available and a list of beneficiaries has been provided.
The AGM noted the explanatory circular from Salaries, Income and Wages Commission stating that House officers’ salary scale and wages will not be affected by their removal from the scheme of service, however they reiterated their earlier position that the circular should be withdrawn.
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They also observed that some House Officers are still owed 1-2 months salaries and refunds of their illegally deducted accommodation fees. The AGM noted that bench fee for outside postings by Resident Doctors has been abolished, however some chief medical directors are yet to fully implement it.
The AGM bemoaned the delay in payment of death in service insurance benefit to the next of kin of our fallen heroes despite their sacrifices to the country.
They observed with concerns the conditions of our members under different state governments’ employs, especially Abia, Imo, Ekiti and Ondo state governments who currently owe our members twenty (20) months, six (6) months, four (4) months and four (4) months’ salary arrears respectively.
After rigorous appraisal of both federal and state governments’ performances on all the problems that led to the ongoing strike as indicated above, the AGM unanimously agreed by vote to maintain the total and indefinite strike action until our minimal demands are met.
The AGM in particular demanded that the federal government should ensure the following urgently for the purpose of restoring normalcy to the health sector: Payment of the Medical Residency Training within 72 hours, since the money meant for it is available and verification of the list for payment has been completed; Payment of the arrears of salaries of our members on GIFMIS platform within 72 hours while the migration process continues; Withdrawal of the case against us in court in the interest of peace; Payment of our withheld August and September salaries.
The federal government should prevail on various state governments to urgently pay arrears of salaries and allowances owed our members in the state tertiary health institutions as stated above.
The AGM also urged the federal government to consider universal implementation of the MRTA in all training institutions in the country including those in the states. The AGM reiterated unequivocally especially to the members of the public that we are committed to the smooth running of the health sector, however we can only do so when our welfare is given the desired attention.
We therefore call on all well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the government to set aside all technicalities as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari and resolve the aforementioned demands in the interest of the masses and our members who are currently suffering because of the ongoing strike action.
