Resident Doctors Refuse FG’s 25% Increase To Consolidated Medical Salary Structure

The Federal Government’s 25% adjustment to the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure has been refused by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors.

The Joint Health Sector Unions added that they were examining the possibility of a negative impact on their members’ other allowances from the rise in the Consolidated Health Salary Structure.

The evaluation of CONMESS and CONHESS for physicians, dentists, and other healthcare professionals employed by the government was approved by the government on July 25, 2023.

Circulars with the titles “Review of CONMESS” and “Review of CONHESS” and signed by Ekpo Nta, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, contained the reviews.

On June 1, 2023, the revision became effective.

In the federal public service, the pay scale for medical and dental officers is known as CONMESS, whereas the pay scale for their equivalents in other professions, such as pharmacy, medical laboratory science, and nursing, is known as CONHESS.

The Nigerian Medical and Health Workers Union, the Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, and the Senior Staff Association of Universities’ Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes, and Associated Institutions are all part of JOHESU, which serves as an umbrella organization for unions and associations of health workers.

The Nigerian Medical Association and other stakeholders in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment established agreements, according to the commission, that led to the decision to review CONMESS.

The commission further stated that the CONHESS review was conducted after the compensation structure for the healthcare industry was examined.

NARD President Dr. Emeka Orji stated in response to the wage review that the association was not satisfied with the 25% it received from the government.

“The association’s members say they oppose the percentage hike. The increase will be supported by data. Data on the rate of inflation between the time the CONMESS was approved and the current price of fuel and foreign currency has been provided.

Obinna Ogbonna, the national vice chairman of the joint health sector unions, commented on the review and claimed it was meant to be an allowance.