The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has called on the Federal Government to urgently address the demands of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) within 21 days to prevent a looming industrial crisis in the nation’s healthcare sector.
In a statement issued to journalists in Jos, the Plateau State capital, MDCAN declared its full support for the NMA’s position, following the rejection of a circular from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), referenced SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646 and dated June 27, 2025. The circular reviewed allowances for medical and dental officers in the federal public service.
NMA President, Prof. Bala Audu, had earlier denounced the circular during a press briefing, describing it as a breach of existing collective bargaining agreements and a threat to industrial harmony in the health sector. The NMA issued a 21-day ultimatum for the withdrawal of the circular, warning of potential disruptions to healthcare delivery nationwide.
The MDCAN, in its statement jointly signed by its President, Prof. Mohammad Aminu, and Secretary, Prof. Daiyabu Alhaji, urged the Federal Government to correct all consequential adjustments in line with the terms of collective bargaining agreements reached in 2001, 2009, and 2014.
“We further call for the correction of the relativity agreed between CONMESS and CONHESS and demand compliance with relativity in all professional allowances, especially call duty allowances, in accordance with the 2001 CBA,” the statement read.
“Additionally, all accrued backlogs must be paid.”
The association also pressed for the immediate settlement of all outstanding arrears, including the 25/35% CONMESS backlog, clinical duty, and accoutrement allowances owed to medical and dental practitioners. They also demanded the payment and review of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to reflect current economic conditions.
Other key demands include:
- Release of the circular on Clinical Duty and other allowances for honorary consultants, as agreed in January 2024.
- Implementation of the scarce skills allowance for medical consultants.
- Approval of specialist and excess workload allowances for all doctors.
- Full compliance with the 2021 CBA on hazard allowance and a revised CONMESS for house officers.
- Adoption of relativity in all professional allowances, particularly call duty allowances.
MDCAN further emphasized the need for universal application of CONMESS across all federal and state Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and universities to tackle internal brain drain. It also called for the reversal of the appointment of other healthcare professionals as consultants, citing concerns over patient safety and clinical standards.
The association urged the government to:
- Provide comprehensive health insurance for all medical and dental practitioners.
- Constitute governing boards for federal hospitals in line with the enabling Acts governing Federal Tertiary Institutions.
- Issue a circular on the implementation of the revised retirement age for medical and dental professionals.
- Roll out enhanced welfare and social support packages for healthcare workers, including robust health and well-being initiatives.
MDCAN warned that failure to meet these demands within the stipulated time frame could lead to serious consequences for healthcare delivery nationwide.
