The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has shared a solution for the manpower shortage recorded in the medical sector in the country as a result of brain drain.
In a communique signed by NARD’s president, Dr Emeka Innocent Orji, and released after its national executive council (NEC) meeting in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, on Sunday, January 29, the Federal Ministry of Health was enjoined to expedite action on the ‘one-for-one policy’ to address the brain drain in the country.
Lamenting over the poor response of most state governments in domesticating the Medical Residency Training Act, 2017, six years after it was signed into law, NARD called on the federal government to urgently start the process of payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) for 2023 to enable its members use the funds for the February update courses and the March/April/May examination.
The group also asked the federal government to urgently pay the skipping arrears for 2014, 2015 and 2016 as well as the shortfall from the consequential adjustment of the minimum wage to deserving members.
The statement added; “The activities of the committee set up for the review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) be hastened and that NARD should be carried along in the processes for her inputs to be made to avoid unnecessary outcomes.”
The federal government also urged the federal government, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and other stakeholders to prevail on Governor Victor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia and his Ekiti, Imo and Ondo counterparts to pay 25, three, 10 and five months owed to their colleagues.