Kogi State Resident Doctors Demand Implementation of New Salary Structure
Doctors represented by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) in Kogi State have voiced their frustration regarding the failure to implement the newly approved salary structure, known as CONMESS 2024. An emergency meeting convened in Lokoja, the state capital, on Friday underscored their growing dissatisfaction not only with the delayed salary structure but also with the non-payment of the promised arrears linked to the new minimum wage for October 2024.
Dr. Ameh Friday, the president of the ARD at Kogi State Specialist Hospital, addressed the media following the meeting, calling for intervention from Governor Usman Ododo. He highlighted that many doctors feel neglected due to their exclusion from the minimum wage implementation that took place in October.
“It’s essential to note that in October 2024, the government approved the new CONMESS 2024 salary structure for state-employed doctors,” Dr. Friday stated. “This decision was aimed at uplifting the distressed financial conditions of doctors and mitigating the alarming trend of medical professionals leaving the state’s service due to inadequate pay. The news of this approval, communicated by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams, was met with widespread relief and gratitude from the medical community.”
Dr. Friday further explained that while the implementation of CONMESS was initially expected to begin in October, it was postponed to November, with assurances that the outstanding arrears from October would be included in the November paycheck. However, confusion arose when doctors received their November salaries without the promised adjustments or back pay.
He pointed out that, unlike their counterparts in the health sector who are on the updated CONHESS 2024 pay structure, doctors remain stuck with the outdated CONMESS 2014 framework. “We urge Governor Ahmed Ododo to address this matter promptly and extend his goodwill towards doctors within the state’s Civil Service. It is vital for the governor to instruct the relevant government bodies to ensure the full execution of the approved salary framework to maintain harmony within the health sector,” he added.
Dr. Friday emphasized the urgent need for action, stating that failure to resolve this issue may lead to further dissatisfaction among doctors, affecting their motivation and potentially disrupting healthcare services in Kogi State. He expressed confidence in the governor’s ability to prioritize the welfare of state doctors for the betterment of healthcare provision in the region.
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