The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Delta State Branch, has strongly condemned the recent circular issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) on the adjustment of allowances for medical and dental officers under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Dr Israel Adaigho, and made available to journalists in Asaba, the association described the circular as a “grave assault on the medical profession.”
The Delta NMA 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, demanding immediate redress.
According to the statement, the controversial NSIWC circular (Ref: SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646), dated June 27 2025, was issued without any consultation with doctors.
The association noted that this action violated existing Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) signed in 2001, 2009, and 2014, and significantly eroded the established wage relativity between doctors and other healthcare workers.
“This act not only breaches longstanding agreements but also shows a worrying insensitivity of the government to the prevailing economic hardship faced by Nigerian doctors,” the statement added.
The Delta NMA listed the demands of its national body, which include: immediate withdrawal and rectification of the June 2025 NSIWC circular; restoration of proper wage relativity and implementation of agreed professional allowances; settlement of arrears related to the 25/35 per cent CONMESS adjustment, clinical duty and call duty allowances; and immediate payment and upward review of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).
Other demands include the universal application of CONMESS across all federal and state medical institutions to curb internal brain drain; issuance of a circular on the reviewed retirement age for doctors and reversal of inappropriate appointments of non-physician consultants; immediate commencement of the overdue review of CONMESS; and removal of all bottlenecks delaying the implementation of tax exemption on doctors’ allowances as a strategy to stem brain drain.
The Delta State NMA warned that if the Federal Government fails to urgently address these demands before the ultimatum expires, the association may have no choice but to withdraw medical services in solidarity with the national leadership.
The association further called on President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, and all relevant stakeholders to act swiftly to avert a national health crisis.
It also urged State Governments to show commitment to improving the welfare of medical practitioners in their employ and to ensure the timely implementation of any reviewed welfare package.
