The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has given a two-week ultimatum to the federal government to settle outstanding welfare and professional issues affecting its members.
Rising from its 46th annual general meeting on Sunday in Calabar, Cross Rivers state, NARDS said that failure to resolve outstanding issues could provoke industrial action.
In the resolutions read by its president, Ogar Emmanuel Idoko, NARD voiced out concern over the slow pace of implementation of agreements reached between the association and the federal government.
While saying that prolonged delays has become unacceptable, NARD demanded swift action on outstanding issues rpertaining to remuneration, career progression, professional allowances, excessive workload, manpower shortages and the general welfare of resident doctors.
It called for “the immediate implementation of agreements reached with the federal government, particularly those relating to improved conditions of service and professional development”.
“The government concluded the review of existing remuneration and professional salary structures for doctors, saying the current framework no longer adequately reflected prevailing economic realities,” the resolution reads.
The association demanded appropriate compensation for excess workload arising from manpower shortages in hospitals.
It noted that resident doctors are increasingly carrying additional responsibilities.
NARD called for standardised templates for compensation for excess workload and reliable data to justify payments to doctors performing duties beyond their normal responsibilities.
It further raised concern over the continuing migration of doctors and other health professionals from Nigeria..
The association appealed to the federal ministry of health and social welfare to immediately tackle the factors responsible for the continued migration of medical professionals.
NARD urged state governments to make the welfare of doctors and other health workers employed by their respective institutions a priority and ensure the implementation of relevant welfare policies.
