The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has urged the Federal Government to pay the outstanding Medical Residency Training Funds (MRTF) for 2023 and 2024. NARD President, Dr. Osundara Tope-Zenith, made this appeal during a press conference in Abuja on Saturday, following the association’s 2025 January National Executive Council meeting.
The meeting was themed “Empowering Doctors with Leadership and Entrepreneurship Skills: A Panacea for Universal Health Coverage and a Brighter Healthcare System” and sub-themed “Building Resilience and Strengthening Nigeria’s Healthcare System for Effective Disaster and Disease Management.” Related Stories Resident doctors begin three-day warning strike over poor working conditions, unpaid allowances Resident doctors raise alarm over abductions, call for government intervention Tope-Zenith commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for convening a stakeholders’ meeting to address issues related to the Medical Residency Training Funds (MRTF). However, he also expressed displeasure over the non-payment of arrears for the upwardly revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).
“The NEC expressed concern over the persistent manpower shortage in most hospitals and the continued migration of specialized medical professionals from privately-owned teaching hospitals due to poor remuneration,” Tope-Zenith said. He noted with dismay that members had been consistently shortchanged over the past five years.
