The permanent Secretary at the federal ministry of health has responded to the ultimatum issued by the National Association of Resident Doctors as contained in its communique issued at the end of the extraordinary National Executive Council meeting which held at the National Trauma Centre of the National Hospital Abuja on the 11th of December 2016

 

The response memo sent to Medicalworld Nigeria with reference number C.3132/T2/117 and dated 22nd December, 2016 reads:

 

I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter on the above subject matter dated 12th December, 2016 and inform you as follows; 

 

a. Adequate Funding, Staffing and Equipping of National Youth Service Clinics:

Mr. President has directed that the National Youth Service Corps members be enrolled in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). The process is ongoing and Chief Medical Directors/Medical Directors (CMDs/MDs) have been directed to takeover the screening, emergency and other medical needs of Youth Corps members in their various States of National Primary Assignments at no cost to the Corps members. 

 

b. Entry Point for House Officers/Proper Placernent of Resident Doctors: 

The Sub-Committee on Critical Labour Issues in the Health Sector has addressed the issue of proper placement and the adjusted entry point for House Officers. 

 

c. Payment of Outstanding Salaries dlie to Budgetary Shortfalls: 

The Federal Governnient through the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office of the Federation (BOF) has made, the required arrangement by Virement to make for the budgetary short fall in personnel emolument. Arrangements are on to facilitate payment of outstanding ernolument. This notwithstanding; any employee of the Federal Government who falls foul of the "NO-Work, No-Pay Policy" of Government should not expect to be paid for work not done. 

 

d. Deduction and Remittance of Pension Contributions:

Directives as to deductions and remittance of pension contributions in line with The Pension Reform Act, 2014 has been issued to all hospitals and defaulting hospitals will be reprimanded 

 

e. Enrolment of all Resident Doctors on the IPPIS Platform: 

Directives have been given for the enrolment of all Resident Doctors on the IPPIS platform before the end of January 2017. 

 

f. December 2015 Salaries of ARD Members in FMC, Owerri: 

All Resident Doctors in FMC OWerri who have not been paid December 2015 salaries should provide evidence of having worked for the month so that their salaries can be paid. 

 

g. Overview of the Residency Training Programme (RTP): 

The Ministry is in the process of sending a Memo on 'the overview of the Residency Training Programme (RTP) by the Prof. Wole Atoyebi led Committee to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for due approval and onward transmission to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation for release of the White Paper. 

 

h. Special Bailout Funds to States: 

The concern by NARD on the release and monitoring of the special bailout funds to the States by the Federal Government is noted. 

 

i. National Health Act, 2014: 

The Inter-Ministerial Committee is working out the modalities of implementation of the National Health Act 2014 is at an advanced stage and will be realizable in the next budgetary cycle.

 

j. July 14th, 2016 Mediation by the Honourable Speaker, Federal House of Representatives: 

The content of the conversation/deliberations with the Honourable Speaker, Federal House of Representatives even though no formal agreement was reached have been captured in the report of the Sub-Committee on Critical Labour Issues in the Health 

 

2. In view of the foregoing, it is the hope of Government that you consider the efforts so far made in addressing the challenges confronting the health sector and by extension the NARD and withdraw the ultimatum. 

 

3. Accept the assurances and warm regards of the Honourable Minister. 

 

Mrs. Binta A. Bello The Permanent Secretary For: Honourable Minister 

CC: Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment 

The Inter Ministerial Sub-Committee on Critical Matters in the Health Sector 

CLICK HERE to download the Memo