The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has urged the Nigeria Government to swiftly address the demands of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to avoid disruptions in healthcare services and their far-reaching consequences.
The association made the call in response to the 21-day ultimatum issued by the NMA over unresolved issues affecting medical professionals.
Our correspondent recalls that NMA President, Prof. Bala Audu, at a recent press briefing, rejected a circular from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC). The circular, referenced SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646 and dated June 27, 2025, pertains to the review of allowances for medical and dental officers in the federal public service.
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The NMA described the circular as a violation of existing collective bargaining agreements and a threat to industrial harmony within the health sector. The association subsequently issued a 21-day ultimatum for its withdrawal.
In a statement issued to newsmen in Jos, the Plateau State capital, MDCAN expressed solidarity with the NMA and called for the immediate correction of consequential adjustments in line with agreements reached in 2001, 2009, and 2014.
The statement, jointly signed by MDCAN President Prof. Mohammad Aminu and Secretary Prof. Daiyabu Alhaji, urged the NSIWC to urgently withdraw the controversial circular and called on the Federal Government to take immediate action to resolve the outstanding issues to avert a looming strike.
“We also call for the correction of the relativity between CONMESS and CONHESS and strict adherence to professional allowances as agreed in the 2001 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), particularly in relation to call duty allowances and the payment of all accrued backlogs,” We urge the Federal Government to settle all outstanding arrears of the 25/35% CONMESS, clinical duty, and accoutrement allowances owed to medical and dental practitioners and also demand the payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), alongside a review of the fund to reflect the current economic realities”.The statement read.
The association further called for the release of the circular on Clinical Duty and other allowances for honorary consultants, as agreed in January 2024. They demanded the implementation of the scarce skills allowance for medical consultants, and the approval of specialist and excess workload allowances for all doctors.
MDCAN reiterated the need to adopt relativity in all professional allowances in accordance with the 2001 CBA, particularly for call duty allowances, and demanded full compliance with the 2021 CBA on hazard allowance and the revised CONMESS for house officers and called for the reversal of the appointment of non-medical professionals as consultants in hospitals to uphold standards of care and ensure patient safety.
The statement further emphasized the need for comprehensive health insurance coverage for all medical and dental practitioners, and the urgent constitution of management boards for federal hospitals, in accordance with the Acts establishing Federal Tertiary Institutions, to enhance governance and operational efficiency.
MDCAN also demanded the issuance of a circular to implement the reviewed retirement age for medical and dental practitioners, as well as the provision of robust welfare and well-being packages — including comprehensive health and social support for healthcare workers.