By Ojoma Akor
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has given the federal government a
21 day ultimatum to meet its demands on doctors welfare and others , failure for which it will proceed on a total and indefinite strike.
The association gave the ultimatum in a communique issued after its Emergency Delegates Meeting ( EDM) at the weekend in Abuja.
The association in the communique which was signed by its president Prof. Bala Audu and Dr Jamin Egbo the Secretary General said, “The Emergency Delegates Meeting (EDM) issued a 21-day notice of a total and indefinite strike in line with the relevant labour laws effective from 27″ July 2025 should the government fail to address its demands comprehensively within this period.”
NMA said the meeting was convoked at the instance of the National Officers Committee (NOC) of the association in response to the recent circular released by the National Salaries income and Wages Commission (NSIWC) on the review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Scale (CONMESS) for medical doctors, the persistent delay of the Federal Government to pay accrued seven month arrears of the 25/35% arrears of the last CONMESS adjustment, the failure of the federal government to respect previously signed Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), the neglect of the health sector by the government at all levels, as well as other demands as itemized by the association.
The association said the EDM expressed disappointment with the lingering negotiations with the Federal Government (FG) on matters affecting the welfare of all doctors in the country.
It noted with serious concern that the recent circular from the National Salaries income and Wages Commission (NSIWC) was suspended and not withdrawn.
It said, “The EDM x-rayed the Memorandum of Understanding signed by officials of the association and observed with concern some inadequacies. The EDM noted the efforts of the NOC and the National Technical Negotiating Team (NTNT) in previous and current negotiations with all responsible agencies of the government. The EDM expressed displeasure that none of the 19 demands of the association have been comprehensively addressed by the government. ”
The association said it remained optimistic that the government in its concern to the health needs of Nigerian citizens, and the welfare of the patriotic Nigerian doctors working tirelessly under unpleasant conditions and economic realities will be responsive to these concerns to avert impending industrial disharmony in the health sector.
It said, “The EDM mandated the National Officers Committee (NOC) and the
National Technical Negotiating Team (NTNT) to bring their experience to bear in all engagements with the Nigerian government to deliver tangible results to the Nigerian doctor. ”
