The Federal Government raised the hazard allowances that health personnel were entitled to in its healthcare facilities nationwide in December 2021. The circular in question, bearing the reference number SWC/S/04/S.218/11/406 and dated December 22, 2021, was issued by the Chairman of the National Salaries, Income, and Wages Commission.
According to the circular, health workers on the CONHESS salary structure now receive a hazard allowance at a fixed rate ranging from N5,000 to between N15,000 and N34,000. Physicians on the CONMESS salary structure had theirs assessed at a rate of N5,000 to between N32,000 and N40,000.
The Oyo State chapter of the members of the Association of Residents Doctors, Ladoke Akintola Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, have appealed to Seyi Makinde to quickly attend to the challenge of poor remuneration and overworking they are currently facing.
In a series of posts made by the workers on Sunday, April 21, 2024, it reads, “LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Ogbomoso needs your urgent intervention, @seyiamakinde. Our doctors are overworked due to a shortage of manpower. No one wants to come because of the abysmal pay.
“Residents taking back-to-back calls are prone to errors while covering multiple. LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Ogbomoso is the only teaching hospital in the South West yet to pay a new hazard allowance, MRTF, and new CONMESS.”
Additionally, the Nigerian Doctor on X, formerly known as Twitter, shared, “Can you imagine how overworked the remaining doctors will be? Can you imagine the dangers the good citizens of Oyo State face as they are being treated by exhausted doctors who are working back-to-back shifts due to a shortage of hands?
“I will not be surprised if more doctors tender their resignation letters at this rate. In fact, it is a wonder the resident doctors have not proceeded on strike to protest their meagre income,” he stated.
In furtherance, he requested, “Sir, Nigerian doctors plead with you to implement the previously approved funds for the Medical Residency Training Fund, CONMESS 35% salary increase, hazard allowance, and intern waiver allowance.
“We have been privy to the abundance of correspondence, hearings, and negotiations about these funds. We have been informed that the only pending but most crucial step is for you to sign your approval, and these funds will roll out ASAP.”
By Chidimma NWAFOR
