The National Association of Resident Doctors has issued the Federal Government a two-week deadline to resolve several outstanding issues affecting its members, warning that failure to act could lead to industrial action.
The decision was contained in resolutions adopted at the association’s 46th Annual General Meeting held on Sunday in Calabar, Cross River State.
NARD National President, Dr Ogar Idoko, presented the resolutions, which highlighted concerns over the slow implementation of agreements previously reached with the Federal Government.
The resident doctors said repeated delays in addressing the agreements had become unacceptable, urging the government to take urgent steps on issues surrounding remuneration, career advancement, professional allowances, workload and manpower shortages.
The association called for “the immediate implementation of agreements reached with the Federal Government, particularly those relating to improved conditions of service and professional development.”
It also asked the government to complete the review of doctors’ existing remuneration and professional salary structures, arguing that the current system no longer adequately reflected prevailing economic realities.
Doctors Demand Compensation For Excess Workload
NARD also raised concerns about the increasing workload being handled by resident doctors as a result of shortages of medical personnel in hospitals.
The association demanded appropriate compensation for doctors carrying responsibilities beyond their normal duties and called for standardised templates to guide payments for excess workload.
It further requested reliable data that could be used to establish the additional duties performed by doctors and support claims for corresponding compensation.
Beyond welfare and remuneration, the doctors expressed concern about attacks against healthcare workers in hospitals.
NARD called for the full implementation of existing policies and anti-assault measures aimed at protecting doctors and other medical personnel from violence while carrying out their duties.
The association also highlighted the continued migration of doctors and other healthcare professionals from Nigeria, saying the trend had worsened staffing shortages and placed additional pressure on those remaining in the country.
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NARD urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to urgently tackle the factors contributing to the migration of medical professionals.
It equally appealed to state governments to prioritise the welfare of doctors and other healthcare workers employed by their institutions and ensure that relevant welfare policies were implemented.
The association called for better infrastructure, adequate medical equipment and improved working conditions across health facilities, noting that these were necessary to promote patient safety and strengthen healthcare delivery.
It also appealed to the National Assembly to increase budgetary allocations to healthcare, stressing that sufficient funding was essential to addressing the sector’s challenges.
NARD further demanded the immediate payment of outstanding salaries and other entitlements owed to house officers, as well as their inclusion in applicable welfare arrangements.
On electronic clocking systems being introduced in hospitals, the association said it had no objection to their use if properly implemented.
It, however, maintained that the systems should primarily support accurate data management rather than be used as a means of punishing medical personnel.
According to the association, several commitments and agreements reached with the Federal Government had remained unresolved despite repeated engagements and assurances.
NARD therefore urged the government to use the two-week ultimatum to resolve the outstanding matters and prevent a breakdown of industrial harmony in the health sector.
The doctors said addressing the issues would improve their welfare, reduce burnout and ultimately contribute to better healthcare delivery for Nigerians.
At the meeting, NARD also elected new national officers, with Idoko emerging as president alongside other members of the National Executive Council.
The association charged the new leadership with pursuing the implementation of the resolutions and maintaining dialogue with the government towards securing improved conditions of service for resident doctors.