ASABA/Nigeria: The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Delta State Branch, has condemned in strong terms the recent circular by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) adjusting allowances for medical and dental officers under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), describing it as a grave affront to the medical profession.
In a statement signed by the branch Chairman, Dr. Israel Adaigho, and made available to journalists in Asaba, the association described the NSIWC circular as “insensitive” and a “breach of long-standing agreements” that could trigger a full withdrawal of services if not urgently reversed.
The association declared its full support for the 21-day ultimatum issued by the national leadership of the NMA to the Federal Government on July 2, 2025, urging immediate intervention to avert a nationwide shutdown of medical services.
The controversial circular (Ref: SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646), dated June 27, 2025, was issued unilaterally by the NSIWC without consulting medical professionals, a move the Delta NMA said disregards existing Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) signed in 2001, 2009, and 2014.
“This act not only violates longstanding agreements but also demonstrates the insensitivity of the government to the prevailing economic hardship faced by Nigerian doctors,” the statement read.
The Delta NMA outlined the key demands of the national body, including the immediate withdrawal of the NSIWC circular, restoration of wage relativity between doctors and other health workers, and full implementation of agreed professional allowances.
Other demands include the payment of outstanding arrears from the 25/35% CONMESS adjustment, clinical duty and call duty allowances, upward review and prompt release of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), and the universal application of CONMESS across all federal and state medical institutions to stem internal brain drain.
The NMA also called for the issuance of a circular on the revised retirement age for doctors, the reversal of inappropriate appointments of non-physician consultants, the commencement of a long-overdue review of CONMESS, and the removal of bottlenecks preventing the implementation of tax exemption on medical practitioners’ allowances.
The association warned that failure by the Federal Government to address the issues before the expiration of the ultimatum may compel doctors in Delta State to join the national body in withdrawing medical services.
The Delta NMA further called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly, and relevant stakeholders to act swiftly to forestall an imminent national health crisis.
It also urged state governments to show commitment by improving the welfare of medical practitioners in their employ and ensuring prompt implementation of any reviewed welfare packages.
