Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued fresh notice to the Federal Government to meet its demands within two weeks or risk industrial disharmony in the health sector.
The association said this in a communique on Wednesday at a Virtual Extraordinary National Executive Council Meeting (E-NEC) to appraise the level of implementation of the Memorandum of Understsnding (MoU) signed with the government on May 19, 2023.
The communique was jointly signed by the NARD President, Dr Innocent Orji, Secretary General, Dr Chikezie Kelechi and the Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr Umar Musa.
The communique partly read, “NEC hereby wishes to further extend her already expired ultimatum issued to the government by two weeks with effect from July 5, 2023.
“The NEC of NARD insists on immediate implementation of minimum of 200%increment in the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and upward review of the associated allowances as requested in her previous letters on the subject matter.
“We demand the immediate release and the implementation of the guidelines on one-for-one replacement of clinical staff to cushion the effect of the massive manpower shortage in our various hospitals nationwide”
“We demand the immediate release and the implementation of the guidelines on one-for-one replacement of clinical staff to cushion the effect of the massive manpower shortage in our various hospitals nationwide,” the communique partly read.
“NEC calls on the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to discontinue the downgrading of the membership certificate issued by the West African Postgraduate Medical and Surgical colleges as this is not obtainable in other parts of West Africa where these same certificates are issued.
“For purposes of emphasis, at the expiration of this further extended ultimatum by 19th of July 2023, if all these demands are not met, we cannot guarantee industrial harmony in the Health Sector nationwide.”
