Doctors lament manpower scarcity, unpaid N25,000 allowance
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors have lamented the dearth of manpower throughout the healthcare amenities within the nation.
NARD made this recognized in a communique issued on Monday after its Ordinary General Meeting held in Kaduna from May 27 to June 1st, 2024, with the theme, ‘Journey towards universal health coverage: Nigeria’s standing amidst monetary disaster and epidemiologic transition.’
Its President, Dele Abdullah; the Secretary-General, Dr Christopher Anaduaka; and the Public and Social Secretary, Dr John Egbe, signed the communique.
The resident docs stated the manpower hole has resulted in a excessive workload on their members within the nation, and requested the Federal Government to satisfy the calls for of the Organised Labour.
Last week, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate decried that creating international locations like Nigeria proceed to lose their extremely skilled well being professionals to developed international locations that didn’t spend money on their first skilled training.
Pate, nevertheless, stated the nation is taking duty and striving to rebuild the nationwide well being system, enhance its governance, strengthen public well being capacities, and unlock our healthcare worth.
Meanwhile, in its communique, NARD famous that greater well being amenities are bearing the larger brunt of the scarcity.
The communique partly learn, “The OGM noticed with dismay the dearth of manpower in our hospitals throughout the nation with greater centres bearing the larger brunt and its attendant burnout impact on our members. The OGM additionally famous with appreciation the totally different efforts of the Ministry of Health to discover a lasting resolution to this continual manpower scarcity.
“The OGM noticed that this manpower hole has resulted in a excessive workload meted on our members throughout the nation leading to burnout and worsening the exodus of our members. The OGM additionally noticed that regardless of the huge manpower hole there may be nonetheless large casualisation of our members in numerous well being establishments
throughout the nation.
“The OGM observed with dismay the injustices being endured by our members on Locum appointments such as not being paid the upward review Consolidated Medical Salary Structure and being denied other emoluments such as medical residency training fund and hazard allowances by some hospital managements. The OGM noted with shock that the federal government paid only one month of the upward CONMESS review arrears with a protracted delay in paying the remaining seven months.”
The docs stated they’re disillusioned on the deliberate delay of some Chief Medical Doctors/Medical Doctors in paying the accoutrements allowances regardless of the round launched by the National Salaries Income and Wages Commission dated July 26, 2023, and directive of the coordinating minister of the Federal Ministry of Health and social welfare to all CMDs /MDs.
They additionally raised issues concerning the alarming improve in assaults on well being employees throughout the nation.
They, nevertheless, referred to as on the federal government to implement a cap on work hours to deal with overwork and burnout amongst healthcare professionals.
Furthermore, they referred to as for the abolishment of the casualisation of docs to make sure honest and safe employment practices.
“The OGM calls on healthcare centres to expedite migration to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System following the employment of recent residents to streamline payroll processes. The OGM requires applicable remuneration for further hours labored by well being employees to recognise and compensate for his or her extra effort.
“The OGM requires the expedited fee of reviewed CONMESS wage arrears. The OGM mandates respective centres to present a two-week ultimatum to all of the CMDs/ MDs to pay the accoutrement allowance. The OGM reiterates its stand that assault on our members will end in fast withdrawal of duties until we’re positive the realm is protected sufficient for apply.
“The OGM calls on the legislative to expedite the enactment of laws criminalising assault on healthcare professionals to provide legal protection and deterrence. The OGM calls on members to promote a zero-tolerance policy towards bullying in all forms within healthcare settings to foster a respectful and supportive work environment,” they acknowledged.
The resident docs additionally referred to as for the fast fee of the 2024 Medical Residency Training Fund.
They added, “The OGM urges the federal government to set equipment in movement geared toward offsetting skipping arrears protecting 2014, 2015, and 2016 respectively. The OGM calls on the West African Colleges of Surgeons and Physicians to look critically at reviewing its charges to allow residents to register for the updates and examinations. The OGM requires
the fast fee of arrears of consequential adjustment of minimal wage in addition to arrears of hazard allowances to our members
“The OGM calls on all related stakeholders to impress on the CMD of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja to desist from his present line of actions and expedite the authentic recruitment course of for healthcare employees to breach the huge manpower hole plaguing the establishment.
“The OGM urges the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and all other relevant stakeholders to expedite the IPPIS capturing of members at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex. The OGM calls on the Federal Government to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians and meet the demands of the Labour Congress.”
