The Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has commended Federal Government (FG) through the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), for the release of the corrected Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) Circular.
MDCAN president Prof Mohammad Aminu gave the commendation in a press statement issued to newsmen in Jos, the Plateau state capital at the weekend.
It will be recalled that MDCAN in July 2025 has rejected the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission’s (NSIWC) circular dated June 27, 2025, regarding the review of allowances for medical and dental officers in the federal public service.
According to them, the circular is deemed grossly inadequate, misleading, and a flagrant violation of previous collective bargaining agreements between the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the Federal Government.
Prof Aminu pointed out that this decisive action, which effectively upholds the critical principle of salary relativity in Health Sector is significant and a welcome step towards honouring the agreements reached with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA)
He also maintained that the restoration of this relativity is essential in recognizing the unique demands and specialized skills of Medical and Dental Consultants and other Doctors within the public service.
MDCAN further said, while they commended this positive development, the Association wishes to urgently draw federal government’s attention to the other critical outstanding issues contained in the MoU with the NMA.
Part of the statement reads, “The resolution of the CONMESS relativity is but one element of a broader agreement designed to address the systemic challenges plaguing the Nigerian health sector.
He further stressed, “The continued delay in implementing these other resolutions is a significant source of frustration and disillusionment among our members”.
Prof Aminu also argued that these outstanding issues include, the immediate conclusion of due process for the increase in retirement age for Medical consultants from 60 to 70 years and other core healthcare workers from 60 to 65 as approved by President Bola Tinubu for mentorship, training, services, research and the release of the January 2024 agreed Clinical Duty allowance and other allowances for Honorary consultants.
Others pending issues according to the statement is the full implementation of the approved new Hazard Allowance for Doctors in colleges of medicine, the immediate payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), the provision of adequate life insurance coverage for healthcare workers and the implementation of mechanisms to address the brain drain and improve hospital infrastructures.
The Medical and Dental doctors also urged the Federal Government to demonstrate the same commitment and urgency displayed in resolving the CONMESS issue towards the immediate implementation of all other aspects of the NMA MoU.
“A holistic approach is crucial to restoring confidence, boosting morale, and ensuring the sustainability of our healthcare system”.
The statement added that MDCAN remained committed to constructive dialogue with the federal government to achieve a swift and complete resolution of all these matters at the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for the benefit of the Nigerian people.
