Exposed: How Resident Doctors Are Being Treated Like Casual Workers Despite Saving Lives

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has voiced strong dissatisfaction over the continued exclusion of its members from receiving specialist allowances, despite the fact that they consistently perform specialist duties in health institutions nationwide.

The association also condemned the ongoing casualisation and poor remuneration of its members, which it blamed on chief executives of tertiary health facilities.

Speaking at a press conference in Uyo on Saturday, the Akwa Ibom State NARD President, Dr. Osundara Tope, raised these concerns while presenting the communiqué issued at the close of the May Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) and Scientific Conference, themed “The Medical Profession: Policies, Politics, and Future Prospects.”

The communiqué was jointly signed by Dr. Osundara Tope (President), Dr. Odunbaku Kazeem Oluwasola (Secretary General), and Dr. Amobi Omoha (Public and Social Secretary).

According to the communiqué, the OGM expressed deep disappointment over the continued denial of specialist allowances to resident doctors who are actively providing critical specialist healthcare services. It also strongly criticized the routine casualisation of doctors and their poor remuneration by heads of tertiary hospitals.

The association further expressed displeasure at the non-payment of salary arrears stemming from the upward review of the CONMESS salary structure, as well as unsettled salary backlogs.

NARD condemned the Federal Government’s failure to pay the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance arrears, and the long-standing shortchanging of members over the past 16 years due to the lack of consequential adjustments to the CONMESS structure — a clear violation of the 2009 Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The association noted with regret the government’s lack of response to multiple letters and appeals sent over the last six months regarding this issue. It stressed that such inaction contradicts the National Policy on Health Workforce, which advocates for better incentives and improved working conditions to retain healthcare professionals.

Dr. Tope said, “The OGM is particularly concerned about the persistent neglect of these consequential adjustments, which have resulted in our members being short-changed for over a decade and a half. This situation is unacceptable and in direct conflict with national policy goals on healthcare workforce retention.”

The association also highlighted the welfare crisis at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, citing non-payment of March 2024 salaries, and 7 to 14 months of outstanding arrears still owed to Resident Doctors and Medical Officers.

In conclusion, the association demanded the immediate payment of the 25/35% CONMESS salary increase arrears, other unpaid salaries, and the full implementation of wage adjustments based on the 2019 and 2024 minimum wage standards, along with all accrued arrears.