MDCAN Tasks FG On NMA’s Demands

The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has urged the federal government to address the demand of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) within 21 days to avert disruptions in healthcare services and attendant consequences.

The NMA president, Prof. Bala Audu in press briefing had rejected a circular issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) referenced SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646 and dated June 27, 2025 addressed the review of allowances for medical and dental officers in the federal public service.

They described the circular as a violation of existing collective bargaining agreements and a threat to industrial harmony in the health sector and issued a 21-day ultimatum for its withdrawal.

MDCAN in a statement issued to newsmen in Jos on Friday said they were in solidarity with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and called for immediate correction of the consequential adjustments in line with the agreements of 2001, 2009, and 2014.

The statement which was jointly signed by the president, Prof. Mohammad Aminu and secretary, Prof. Daiyabu Alhaji, urged the commission to urgently withdraw the circular and demand urgent government action to address the pressing issues to avert a looming strike.

“We further call for correction of the relativity agreed between CONMESS and CONHESS and compliance with relativity in all professional allowances in accordance with the 2001 CBA, particularly regarding call duty allowances, and the payment of all accrued backlogs,” the council said.

They members also urged the federal government to settle all outstanding arrears of 25/35% CONMESS, clinical duty and accoutrement allowances owed medical and dental practitioners and payment of Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) for 2025, as well as review of the MRTF to reflect prevailing economic realities.

The doctors also demanded the release of the Circular on Clinical Duty and other allowances for honorary consultants as agreed in January 2024, implementation of scarce skills allowances for medical consultants and approval of specialist and excess allowance for all doctors.

The association further demanded for the adoption of relativity in all professional allowances in accordance with the 2001 CBA, particularly regarding call duty allowances, among other things.