Chijioke Iremeka
The Nigerian Medical Association has described the condition of medical doctors in the country as very pitiable, lamenting that the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, which addresses their welfare has not been reviewed for years.
Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise to commemorate the 2024 International Workers’ Day, the NMA chairmen said Nigerian medical doctors have nothing to celebrate about.
According to the Chairman, Ekiti State, and South-West Zone chapters of NMA, Dr Babatunde Rosiji, doctors’ welfare, based on arrangement and understanding had with the Federal Government has not been honoured.
He said, “We had an understanding with the government that every five years, the salary template will be reviewed. Unfortunately, we have a 10-year period in which the salary has not been reviewed, and this is to the disadvantage of Nigerian doctors.
“In addition to that, in July 2023, just as in the twilight of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, the government decided to implement 25 to 35 per cent of the salary structure, but unfortunately, that was an amputated increase because it only affected our basic salary and does not affect any other allowance.”
Rosiji, who is also the Chief Medical Director, State Specialist Hospital, Ikole Ekiti, said there was a purported increase but it left Nigerian medical doctors more impoverished.
The NMA South-West Zone chairman lamented that by the time the increase is equated with what Nigerian doctors earn in dollars, it amounts to nothing.
He said, “For instance, if I equate what I was earning in 2014 to the dollar, it is just about 20 per cent of what I earn now, that is 10 years down the line. I have gained a promotion, and I have risen in the profession, but my salary does not reflect my status when I compare it with my mates and status. This is the reason for the japa syndrome in Nigeria.
“If I am getting a promotion to still earn 20 per cent of what I earned 10 years ago, it leaves a lot to be desired. Unfortunately again, if you look at the real situation, CONMESS would have been reviewed in 2019 and by now we should be talking about the third review but that has never happened.
“For Nigerian doctors, I don’t think there is anything to celebrate about the worker’s day this year. The only thing is to appreciate God that we are alive. Despite the nature of our work, we are coping and surviving.”
While appreciating the government for holding the centre together, Rosiji furthered, “If I must talk about Ekiti State, I must appreciate our Governor, Biodun Oyebanji at least out of the states of the federation; Ekiti is the only state government that is paying the 2023 CONMESS as stated by the Federal Government.
“The governor is doing the little he can and we encourage him to do more. We call on other states to emulate Oyebanji. This is my message and I want to salute the doggedness of all doctors in Nigeria and the doggedness of all health professionals by deciding to hold things together even as nothing is holding at the centre. I wish every worker in Nigeria a happy workers day.”
Speaking further, the Abia State chapter Chairman of NMA, Dr Isaiah Abali, urged the government to look into the welfare of doctors with the seriousness it deserves as the world celebrates International Workers’ Day.
The Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, said that the state government is yet to make a pronouncement on the new minimum way.
He noted that the state government is waiting for the FG to state what the new wage will be before it can make a pronouncement on it and be sure it is the percentage the state can handle, otherwise, the government will state the one it can handle.
He said, “In fact, the governor through his media aide said that they are waiting for the FG. If FG sets the minimum wage, he can now know the one he can do for workers. We have submitted the circular to that of the doctors.
“The governor said he would like to know the financial implications of the situation from the ministry of finance first. We are sure he is going to do something about it though I have not heard his broadcast today.
“The governor is trying, and we are receiving our salaries regularly. He has also promised to clear the arrears. He inherited 23 months salary arrears and he had cleared two months. It is remaining 21 months arrears for the ABSUTH while 12 months for general hospitals.
“Abia State workers are trying and I urged the government to look into their welfare with all the seriousness it deserves. I also urged the workers to be resilient and discharge their duties and should know that our governor is a man of his word and that is why we have not put him under pressure to make a pronouncement.”
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