Federal Ministry of Health Memo Stopping Payment of Skipping Arrears to Doctors

You will recall that Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) got a judgment award from the National Industrial Court (NIC) in 2014 to skip Salary Grade Level 10. This judgment has been appealed to, by the Federal Government and is still in court.   

2. You will also recall that due to series of agitations, strikes and discussion at several levels of Governance with Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) and National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), there was a temporary approval for doctors to also skip CONMESS 2 pending the outcome of the final court judgment on the matter.   

  3. It has come to the notice of the Federal Ministry of Health that some Hospitals are paying Skipping Arrears to Medical Doctors. This is in disregard to the directives that no skipping arrears be paid to doctors.  

4. l am directed to inform that the earlier directive is still in force, that Skipping is illegal and no institution should pay arrears to doctors. This directive should strictly be complied with as sanctions will be applied to earing CMD/MD.   

5. Please, accept the assurance of the Honourable Minister.  

“Dr.() J. Amedu. mni 

Director, Hospital Services Department 

For: Honourable Minister