NAN reports that the group made these remarks in a statement that was released on Wednesday, following the conclusion of a virtual Extraordinary National Executive Council Meeting (E-NEC).
Dr. Innocent Orji, NARD's National President, Dr. Chikezie Kelechi, NARD's Secretary-General, and Dr. Umar Musa, NARD's Publicity and Social Secretary, all signed the communique together.
You may remember that on May 17, members of the association began a warning strike that would last for five days. They also issued a demand to the FG, asking them to resolve their concerns by May 29, failing which there would be industrial unrest.

After the deadline of the two-week ultimatum that had been given to the Federal Government on April 29 passed on May 13 without the issues being resolved, the decision was made to begin the industrial action. On May 21, however, members of the association called off the strike they had been participating in.

According to the statement, the National Executive Committee meeting was conducted to evaluate the level of implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached with the Federal Government on May 19, following the five-day warning strike that was initiated by the organization on May 17. It was also to discuss other critical concerns bearing on the welfare of NARD members, as this was the purpose of the meeting.

It was revealed that "NEC hereby wishes to further extend her already expired ultimatum issued to the government by two weeks with effect from July 5, 2023." This information was included in the document.

Since the current economic realities in the country cannot justify the continued payment of CONMESS as it is at the moment or any increment below the 200 percent as demanded, "The NEC of NARD insists on immediate implementation of minimum of 200 per cent increment in the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and upward review of the associated allowances as requested in her previous letters on the subject matter."To emphasize this point, this additional extended ultimatum will expire on July 19, and if all of these requests are not met, we will not be able to guarantee that there will be industrial harmony in the health sector across the country.

The resident doctors stated that it has been seven weeks since the end of the five-day warning strike that was initiated by the association in order to push home its demands; however, the recommendations of the conciliatory meeting that was convened by the previous Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, have not been implemented.

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In addition to this, they voiced their concern over the fact that the circular on the one-for-one replacement of clinical staff who left the various tertiary hospitals located all across the nation has not yet been distributed.

"NEC recalls that the conciliatory meeting agreed that the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation will release the implementation guideline on or before June 5 for onward transmission to the Tertiary Hospitals for implementation. "This has not happened until now. " "NEC recalls that the conciliatory meeting agreed that the implementation guideline will be released on or before June 5 for onward transmission to the Tertiary Hospitals for implementation." Regrettably, medical professionals working in these tertiary hospitals continue to experience breakdowns, the burnout effect, attacks, and harassment as a direct result of the severe labor shortage caused by this.

In addition, it stated that the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) had not been paid as agreed upon during the conciliatory meeting. Furthermore, it stated that the skipping arrears had not been paid either, despite the fact that it had been requested on multiple occasions over the course of several years.

Concerning the increase in CONMESS, the association stated that the metrics it used in getting at a demand for minimum of 200 percent increase had greatly changed, after the loss of fuel subsidies and the accompanying large increase in petrol price as well as the general increase in the cost of living. In other words, the association indicated that the parameters it used in arriving at a demand for minimum of 200 percent increase had significantly changed.

It went on to say that in order for the members to be back to the same expenditure level of CONMESS when it was launched in 2014, an upward review to the tune of 550 percent is required. This was said while using the present parameters.

Because of these issues, our members are having a harder time than usual getting oneself to work and doing the other various obligations that are expected of them in their roles as medical physicians.

However, the association has demanded that all outstanding arrears owed to its members be paid immediately. This includes the hazard allowance and skipping arrears of 2014-2016, as well as the arrears of consequential adjustment of minimum wage.

In addition to this, it demanded the immediate publication and execution of the recommendations on the one-for-one replacement of clinical personnel in order to mitigate the effects of the significant lack of manpower that is now present in hospitals across the country.