The federal government has reversed its earlier decision and will now pay resident doctors the reviewed Postgraduate Allowance and Training (PAT), with the adjustment expected to appear in April salaries.
The announcement came after pressure from the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), which had kicked against the government's plan to suspend implementation of the reviewed allowance. The association confirmed that the federal government agreed to reinstate the payment following negotiations.
Resident doctors had expressed anger over the initial decision to halt the PAT implementation, arguing that the allowance is critical for their welfare and training. The reviewed rates were supposed to reflect improvements to their compensation, addressing long-standing complaints about inadequate remuneration in the medical residency programme.
Beyond the April adjustment, the government committed to paying all outstanding arrears owed to resident doctors from the period when the allowance should have been implemented. The exact amount of the arrears and the timeline for payment have not been disclosed, but the government's reversal signals a shift in its earlier stance.
The allowance forms part of broader efforts to improve conditions for resident doctors, who work long hours with significant responsibility in Nigeria's hospitals. Poor remuneration has been a recurring source of tension between medical professionals and the government, with strikes and industrial action becoming common when disputes arise.
The reinstatement also includes provisions for funding doctor training programmes, addressing another key demand from NARD. The association had argued that adequate training resources are essential for producing quality doctors and improving healthcare delivery across the country.
NARD is expected to monitor implementation closely to ensure the April salaries reflect the adjustment and that arrears are paid without further delay.
