On this year’s International Workers’ Day in Nigeria, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has demanded that the Federal Government clear the seven months of salary arrears owed to its members as per the updated Consolidated Medical Salary Structure.

NARD is also urging the government to take steps to retain existing doctors within the system and enhance their welfare to the best of its ability.

The Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) outlines the pay scale for medical and dental officers in the federal public service. Historically, medical practitioners and other healthcare professionals have gone on strike multiple times due to the government’s delays in revising and implementing this salary structure.

In July 2023, President Bola Tinubu approved a 25% increase in the CONMESS for medical and dental officers in the federal public service effective June 1, aiming to address the issue of brain drain and ensure industrial peace.

Nigeria has been grappling with issues related to The rising departure of medical professionals, including doctors, pharmacists, and nurses, to developed nations has been a growing concern. According to Wakadaily, President of NARD, Dr. Dele Abdullahi, called for action during this year’s Workers’ Day commemoration.

He also urged the Federal Government to promptly fill the vacancies left by departing clinical staff in order to alleviate the workload on those remaining.

Abdullahi highlighted that although the Federal Government has initiated the implementation of the 25% salary increase under the CONMESS, it has not yet disbursed the salary arrears owed to NARD members for the period between June 1 and December 31, 2023.

He stated ,” For a very long time we have been having discussions with the Federal Government about increments in our salary and allowances that accrue to it.

” By July last year, a circular was released talking about the increment in the basic salary of healthcare workers in Nigeria, our members included.

“The 25 per cent CONMESS salary increment is being implemented. But if you look at the circular, it states that the implementation will start from June 1, 2023. To date, the salary arrears from June 1 to December, 31 are yet to be paid to our members-totaling about seven months arrears. This is a major cause of agitation.”

He mentioned that even the allowances have not been recalibrated for accurate placement.

The leader of NARD also expressed concerns about the working conditions faced by its members, noting that doctors are now working extended hours, which is affecting their mental and physical well-being.

“The other thing which is peculiar to our members is the working environment and working hours.

“We all know that we have a limited number of doctors we need in the country right now, meaning that the ones on the ground are working the shift of others who have exited the system.

“These workers are working more hours than usual and it is affecting their mental and physical health. Most health workers can’t spend their holidays properly anymore because they have to cover the extra shift. And this is coming without any form of extra remuneration”, he lamented.

The physician urged the government to address the concerns of his colleagues if it wants to see an end to the challenge of brain drain in the health sector.

Abdullahi, however, mentioned, “We are hoping the Federal Government will look into this. The Federal Ministry of Health is doing a lot in tackling the manpower gap. They have put a lot of things in place to improve on this. But still, we are not seeing the effect yet.”

On how to holistically address the problem, the NARD President, stated, “We need to put in measures place to retain doctors on the ground and that is to improve their welfare as maximum as possible.

“We need to increase remuneration and create other incentives for this health workforce in place. Right now, we are still witnessing an increase in the number of health workers who are leaving the country.

“We are hoping that we can reverse this trend by actions that will be taken by the Federal Government to keep them in. The government cannot force health workers to stay home. The only thing they can do is to improve their welfare.”

In honoring all workers in Nigeria, Abdullahi stated that the day serves as a reflection of the contributions that the typical Nigerian makes towards the prosperity of the country’s economy.

The observance of Workers’ Day in Nigeria traces back to the decision made by the People’s Redemption Party government in Kaduna and Kano in 1980 to designate May 1 as a public holiday for commemorating International Workers’ Day.

Subsequently, in 1981, the Federal Government, led by Shehu Shagari, officially declared May 1 as a national holiday to mark International Workers’ Day.