200% Pay Rise Demand Not Outrageous, FG Can Afford It – Resident Doctors…

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) says its 200% pay rise demand is not outrageous, adding that the Federal Government can afford it.

NARD National President, Emeka Orji stated this on Tuesday.

He said the review of salaries of resident doctors should have taken place in 2014 with rising inflation and attendant economic shocks. “Things are getting worse and there is no increment in take-home pay,” he said.

On April 29, 2023, NARD issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to commence the implementation of all pending agreements or the doctors will embark on a nationwide strike.

Amongst other demands, the resident doctors want an immediate increment in the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) to the tune of 200 percent of the current gross salary of doctors.

The government had described the demand of the doctors as ridiculous but the NARD president said the 25% increment offered by the government is not sufficient to cater to the needs of doctors in the country.

Orji, a Senior Registrar, Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, said doctors and nurses were not part of the last minimum wage increase and that pay rise for medical professionals was long overdue.

The NARD president also said the government has not reached out to the association for talks despite its two-week ultimatum but has been issuing threats.

The NARD president further demanded the immediate withdrawal of the bill seeking to compel medical and dental graduates to render five-year compulsory services in Nigeria before being granted full licence to practice.