The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) expressed their dissatisfaction with the approved N25,000 allowance for doctors by the President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government, calling it laughable.
The NARD President, Dr Emeka Oji, conveyed this during an interview with journalists. The industrial action initiated by the NARD continues.
Dr Oji’s remarks came in response to the statement made by Ekpo Nta, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the national salary and wages commission, who had announced the approval of the N25,000 allowance for doctors on Thursday.
According to him, “The Federal Government has approved the payment of an Accoutrement allowance of twenty-five naira (N25,000.00) per quarter to Medical and Dental Doctors in hospitals, medical centres, and clinics in the Federal Public Service. The allowance is to be paid from the overhead budget.
“The approval takes effect from June 1, 2023. All enquires relating to this circular should be directed to the Commission.”
Reacting to the above in a telephone conversation with Vanguard, Emeka Oji said, “the N25,000 allowance to doctors is laughable. The ongoing strike continues. We are currently in a meeting. NARD will issue a statement regarding to N25,000.00 allowance.”
On Tuesday reported that the NARD declared another round of industrial action over its lingering demands that have not been addressed.
NARD on July 5 issued a two-week ultimatum to the Nigerian government for the implementation of all its demands.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, later held deliberations with the leadership of NARD behind closed doors where he promised to meet with President Bola Tinubu to avert the planned industrial action.
However in a statement on Tuesday, the doctors in public health facilities declared a “total and indefinite strike action.”
The association listed its demands to include the immediate payment of the 2023 MRTF, the immediate release of the circular on one-for-one replacement, and the payment of skipping arrears.