NMA threatens strike, gives FG ultimatum for implementation of salary review

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has called on the federal government to implement the upward review of the consolidated medical salary structure or risk industrial action in the health sector.

The association also asked the federal government to implement the newly approved accruement allowance with arrears from June 2022.

Uche Ojinmah, NMA national president, spoke on Sunday at a news conference in Abuja after the association’s national executive council (NEC) meeting which held from December 10 to December 17.

The government had approved the payment of N25,000 of peculiar allowance for medical doctors and dentists in hospitals, medical centres, and clinics in the federal public service.

It had also approved a 25 percent increase in consolidated medical salary structure.

The NMA president gave the federal government an ultimatum of January 31, 2024, to implement the upward review of the salary structure.

He said that NMA cannot guarantee industrial harmony in the health sector if all its demands, particularly on welfare, are not met.

“We cannot be talking of brain drain and the little the country could do to assuage it, the government is not doing that,” NAN quoted him as saying.

Ojinmah also called on the federal government to quickly stem the slide of the naira which, he said, has caused a negative effect on the price of medications, and brought more suffering to fellow citizens.

He said firming the naira would enhance access to universal health coverage (UHC) for all and sundry and reduce out of pocket expenditure for healthcare.

Ojinmah said this is the time for governments at all levels to think towards UHC to help the people.

The NMA president also addressed the progressive exit of international pharmaceutical companies and other companies from Nigeria, saying the situation has become worrisome for the NMA.

He said the scenario portends danger for the country’s healthcare delivery and economy, and called on the government to improve on the ease of doing business in the country, and quickly stabilise the economy so that more companies do not close shop.