Federal Government Pays Doctors’ N15.8 Billion Hazard Allowance
The Nigerian Federal Government has paid medical doctors in teaching hospitals and primary healthcare centres across the country hazard allowance worth N15.8 billion.
This information was disclosed by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, during a meeting that was organised to review the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the government and resident doctors.
In the meeting, the minister explained that the government has cleared the April and May special allowances. According to him, medical personnel can now draw their normal salaries and other allowances.
The payment comes following threats by the resident doctors to embark on strike if their hazard allowance needs were not met. The doctors also sought to address other issues including the deplorable state of hospitals and the lack of protective equipment for members of the union treating COVID-19 patients, which has led to the deaths of some doctors in recent times.
In a statement, Ngige said:
“The federal government has so far spent N15.8 billion naira for hazard allowances in its teaching hospitals, medical centres and some other non- COVID-19 facilities where doctors have also been treating virus cases.
“Government has cleared the April and May special allowances which is no doubt a big feat, knowing that this is for special allowances only, and at a time its earning has fallen short of the expected earning.”
