Resident Doctors Urge Nigerian Government to Pay Outstanding Training Funds

• The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors calls for the payment of two years’ Medical Residency Training Funds and revised salary arrears
• NARD criticizes the government for failing to adjust salaries according to the 2009 agreement, impacting doctors’ welfare and services

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has called on the Federal Government to settle the outstanding Medical Residency Training Funds (MRTF) for the past two years.

NARD President, Dr. Osundara Tope-Zenith, made this appeal during a press conference on Saturday in Abuja.

He also criticized the non-payment of the revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) arrears. Still, he praised the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for organizing a stakeholders’ meeting to address MRTF issues.

“The NEC observed with concern the persistent short-changing of our members over the past five years, as there have been no consequential adjustments to the CONMESS basic salary and allowances.

This is a clear violation of the provisions of the 2009 collective bargaining agreement,” Tope-Zenith stated.

He acknowledged the Chief Medical Directors who have received full payment of the Accoutrement Allowance arrears and raised concerns about ongoing manpower shortages in hospitals.

The NEC also recognized the positive efforts of Prof. John Okeniyi, Chief Medical Director of Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital, in maintaining industrial peace.

Additionally, the NEC commended FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for ensuring payment of all outstanding salaries, allowances, the disbursement of MRTF, and the employment of doctors in the FCT.

However, due to poor remuneration, the NEC expressed concern over the continuous loss of specialized medical professionals in privately-owned teaching hospitals.

NARD urged the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to expedite the payment of the 2025 MRTF and settle the outstanding 2023 and 2024 MRTF, along with the 2022 arrears, as agreed in the ministry’s stakeholders’ meeting.

Tope-Zenith also demanded the federal government immediately pay the revised CONMESS arrears and other outstanding salary dues.

Additionally, he called for the full implementation of the consequential adjustments for the 2019 and 2024 minimum wage on doctors’ basic salaries and allowances.