Resident doctors beg Nigerian govt to pay outstanding training funds

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has appealed to the Federal Government to pay the outstanding Medical Residency Training Funds (MRTF) for the last two years.

The association’s President, Dr. Osundara Tope-Zenith, made the call at a news conference on Saturday in Abuja.

Tope-Zenith also decried the non-payment of the upwardly revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) arrears.

He, however, commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for convening a stakeholders’ meeting to address issues related to the MRTF.

The NARD president said: “The NEC observed with dismay 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.

“The NEC appreciated the Chief Medical Directors who have been fully paid the Accoutrement Allowance arrears.

“The NEC expressed concern about the persistent manpower shortage in most hospitals.

“The NEC also observed some of the positive strides Prof. John Okeniyi, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital, is putting in place to maintain industrial peace.

“The NEC commends the Minister of the FCT, Mr. Nyesom Wike, for ensuring the payment of all outstanding salaries and allowances, and the disbursement of MRTF and the employment of doctors in the FCT.

“The NEC observed the persistent drift of specialised medical manpower in privately-owned teaching hospitals due to poor remuneration.”

He said the association resolved that the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria should expedite the payment of the 2025 MRTF and ensure the settlement of the outstanding 2023 and 2024 MRTF.

Tope-Zenith said that the college should also facilitate the payment of the 2022 MRTF arrears in line with the stakeholders’ meeting convened by the ministry.

He urged the federal government to pay the arrears of the upwardly revised CONMESS and other outstanding salary arrears without delay.

Tope-Zenith also demanded the full implementation of the consequential adjustments for the 2019 and 2024 minimum wage on the doctors’ basic salary alongside other allowances.

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