The Federal Government has announced plans to release ₦11.99 billion within 72 hours to offset part of the salary and allowance arrears owed to medical professionals nationwide.
Mr. Alaba Balogun, Head of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Health, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
The announcement followed the declaration of an indefinite nationwide strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) over unpaid arrears, poor welfare, and inadequate working conditions.
According to the ministry, the government is taking “concrete actions” to address the doctors’ grievances, adding that steps are underway to resolve issues relating to recruitment, salary arrears, and broader health sector reforms.
Balogun said that, following a directive from President Bola Tinubu, the ministries of health and finance on Thursday transferred ₦21.3 billion to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) for payment of health workers, including NARD members.
He added that an additional ₦10 billion had earlier been released in August to begin payment of seven months’ arrears from the 25 and 35 per cent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for all categories of health workers.
“All these payments are being enjoyed by NARD members in line with the revised salary structure,” the statement read.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to improving welfare and stability within the health sector while urging the striking doctors to consider the progress made and return to work in the interest of patients and national healthcare delivery.
