Kaduna resident doctors issue 12-day ultimatum to govt

The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna, has given the Kaduna State Government a 12-day ultimatum to meet its welfare demands or face an indefinite strike.

The chapter president, Dr. Josiah Yakubu, on Monday, said the doctors are demanding full implementation and payment of the 2024 Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) with two months’ arrears.

Yakubu said the ultimatum, which took effect on August 18, followed the state government’s failure to fulfill a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed two months ago.

He noted that despite ongoing negotiations, the agreement on remuneration had not been implemented.

According to him, the unresolved issues have worsened brain drain among resident doctors in Kaduna, with many leaving for federal institutions and other states offering better welfare packages.

He warned that the association would resume its suspended strike if their demands were not met before the end of August.

While commending the state government for efforts made so far, Yakubu urged authorities to implement the CONMESS adjustment in August salaries, employ more resident doctors, and retain state-trained medical students for housemanship with improved pay.

He assured that the ARD would continue collaborating with the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), and other stakeholders to push for better welfare and improved healthcare delivery in Kaduna State.