By Ogunsona Samuel
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has commended Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji for being the first Governor in the country to pay the new hazard allowance and the newly adjusted Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) to resident doctors.
The association, in a letter co-signed by its President, Dr Dele Olaitan and Dr. Anaduaka Obinna, and dated June 1, 2024, said the payment of the hazard allowance and adjusted CONMESS would “go a long way to encourage resident doctors as well as improve their commitment to work and training”.
NARD equally noted with gratitude that the government of Biodun Oyebanji was the second to pay the Medical Residency Training Funds among State Tertiary Health Institutions in the Southwest region.
The Association expressed joy that Oyebanji’s gesture came at “a critical period of economic hardship during which many of our members are seeking to write their Part 1 and Part 2 examinations in the Colleges of Training”.
While commending Oyebanji for his unwavering support and commitment to health care delivery in the State, the resident doctors stressed that the Governor’s gesture “is worthy of emulation” as it projects the Biodun Oyebanji-led administration as “one which listens and a glaring example for others to follow”.
“We wish to express our immense gratitude for your continuous commitment to the furtherance of the Residency Training Programme in Ekiti State Teaching Hospital especially as demonstrated in prioritizing the welfare of our members. Sir, you were the first governor to pay the new Hazard allowance and the newly adjusted CONMESS. We have also noted that your government was the second to pay Medical Residency Training Funds among State Tertiary Health Institutions in the Southwest region”.
“At this critical period of economic hardship during which many of our members are seeking to write their Part 1 and Part 2 examinations in the Colleges of Training, the payment of these funds will go a long way to encourage the resident doctors as well as improve their commitment ti work and training. It is our belief that this feat is worthy of emulation and project your government as one which listens, a glaring example for others to follow”, the letter reads.