CONMESS: Lagos doctors frown over unpaid allowance

The Medical Guild of Lagos State has, on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, urgently called on the government to fulfill the reviewed Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) allowance, ensuring doctors receive their deserved living wage.

The Chairman of the Medical Guide, Dr. Moruf Abdulsalam, noted the rationale behind the implementation of CONMESS.

He highlighted that CONMESS was executed for their federal counterparts, including the accrued arrears from July 2023.

He said: “The non-payment of the reviewed CONMESS allowance has already been implemented for our federal colleagues.

“And in the states of Ekiti, Delta, Ebonyi, Rivers, and Katsina. This has worsened the salary parity between doctors in Lagos State

“And aggravated the already dire emigration of doctors to federal employment and out of the country.

“Moreover, the current economic starvation and stagflation in the country are biting harder on doctors too”.

Demotion of specialists

The Guild has called for the demotion of specialist consultants due to errors in their entry points into the public service.

These inaccuracies have resulted in income losses, low morale, and a dwindling interest among potential specialists in joining the state health service.

“We seek employment of Medical Officers on grade level 12/2 and consultants at grade level 15/4 in line with national best practices.

“Immediate restoration and payment of contributory pension/NHF deductions for our resident doctors.

“As enshrined in the Pension Reform Act of 2014, full implementation of the September ‘23 Medical Guild position paper.

“As discussed and assented to by the government of Lagos State,” he stated.

Abdulsalam has made a heartfelt appeal to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

He pleaded with him to take immediate action and prevent an imminent and significant crisis in the health sector.

He urges the Governor to urgently implement the proposed incentives to ensure the stability and efficiency of the health sector in Lagos State.

“In the build-up to the disputed issues with the government, we would like to place on record that we have and continue to employ all manners of advocacy.

“And constructive persuasion, to avert this looming crisis. The government is yet to bulge.

“In the coming days, we shall call on the Association’s Congress to determine the next line of action, ” he added.

About CONMESS

CONMESS was designed to harmonize and standardize  remuneration of doctors across various government-owned health institutions.

CONMESS was introduced to address disparities in salaries and allowances among medical professionals, improve their welfare, and boost morale.

The structure takes into account factors like job roles, qualifications, experience, and location to determine salaries and benefits.

Key features of CONMESS:

1. Standardized salary scales
2. Annual increments
3. Rural posting allowances
4. Specialist allowances
5. Hazard allowances
6. Call duty allowances

 Aims of CONMESS:

1. Enhance the attractiveness of medical careers
2. Improve healthcare delivery
3. Reduce brain drain
4. Promote equity and fairness

Challenges of CONMESS:

1. Implementation inconsistencies
2. Funding constraints
3. Inadequate infrastructure
4. Disparities in allowances

Despite these challenges, CONMESS remains a crucial framework for medical professionals’ compensation in Nigeria, contributing to better healthcare services and workforce satisfaction.

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