- Threatens strike
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Medical Doctors under the umbrella of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have demanded their salary structure be reviewed upward and possibly increased by 550 per cent.
The doctors said the reason for the demand was because of the recent decision of the federal government to remove fuel subsidy which resulted in a significant rise in cost of movement and general cost of living.
The doctors took the decision at their National Executive Council (NEC), which was attended virtually by all the chapters, on Wednesday.
The doctors decided at the meeting that the minimum of a 200 per cent increase in CONMESS (salary) was no longer feasible because of the socioeconomic changes that accompanied the fuel subsidy removal.
The communique of the meeting which was jointly signed by Dr Orji Emeka Innocent and Dr Chikezie Kelechi, President and Secretary-General, respectively, reminded the government that the parameters for the 200 per cent increase in CONMESS have changed.
Part of the communique reads: “We observed with disappointment, the inability of the Government to upwardly review the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) in line with our letter to the Minister of Health dated 7th July 2022.
“We also observed that the parameters we used in arriving at a demand for a minimum of 200 per cent increase in CONMESS has significantly changed following the removal of fuel subsidy and the attendant massive increase in fuel price and general cost of living.
“Using the current parameters, for us to be returned to the same expenditure level of CONMESS when it was implemented in 2014, an upward review to the tune of 550% is required.
“Our members now find it difficult to transport themselves to work and carry out
other numerous responsibilities required of them as Medical Doctors because of these factors.”
Meanwhile, the doctors have expressed discontent with the “cold attitude” of the Federal Government regarding the implementation of signed agreements with the doctors.
The doctors said they are disappointed that seven weeks since the end of the five-day warning strike action embarked upon to press home their demands, the resolutions of the conciliatory meeting chaired by the then Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, are yet to be implemented, despite the set timelines for their implementation.
The doctors said they have decided to further extend the already expired ultimatum issued to the government by two weeks with effect from 5th July 2023, to enable the government to attend to their needs so there can be industrial peace and harmony in the health sector.
They lamented that their colleagues and other health workers particularly the Nurses in Tertiary Hospitals have continued to break down and suffer the burnout effect, assaults and harassment consequent upon the severe manpower shortage occasioned by “japaa” syndrome.