Striking doctors reject 25% salary increase, say it’s too paltry

The National Association of Resident Doctors on Saturday rejected the 25 per cent salary increase as well as the accoutrement allowance offered by the Federal Government.
They insisted on their demand for full restoration of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure to its right value as approved in 2009.
The doctors also resolved to continue with the ongoing nationwide strike until reasonable progress is made by the government to address their demands.
Their position is contained in a communique jointly signed by the President, Dr Orji Emeka Innocent, Secretary-General, Dr. Chikezie Kelechi, and Publicity & Social Secretary, Dr Uma Musa.
The striking doctors described the 25 per cent as a ‘paltry’.
The communique was issued at the end of its NEC meeting in Lagos.
They demanded the immediate release of the circular on the One-for-One policy for the replacement of exited clinical workers for implementation.
They said they could not continue to watch their members lose their lives and break down under the weight of work overload occasioned by massive depletion of clinical staff in the hospitals on account of brain drain.
They observed that the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) had not been paid even after several promises made by the government.
The communique further stated, “After critical consideration, NEC resolved as: to demand the payment of all salaries and arrears including the salary arrears of 2014-2016, arrears of hazard allowance, arrears of consequential adjustment of the minimum wage, and promotion arrears to our deserving members without further delay.
“To call on the MDCN to reverse herself on the downgrading of the membership certificate.”

“To call on the governors of Abia, Kaduna, and Enugu states as well as other states where our members’ welfare is neglected, to as a matter of urgency look into these challenges to resolve them amicably,” the comunique added.