The Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has thrown its weight behind the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in rejecting the revised allowance structure issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) for medical and dental professionals in the federal public service.
In a strongly worded statement jointly signed by MDCAN President, Prof. Muhammad Muhammad, and General Secretary, Prof. Daiyabu Ibrahim, the association described the circular—referenced SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646 and dated June 27, 2025—as “grossly inadequate, misleading, and a violation of existing agreements” between the medical community and the Federal Government.
MDCAN is demanding the immediate withdrawal of the circular and a return to agreements reached in 2001, 2009, and 2014, particularly with respect to salary relativity between the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).
Among its core demands are:
Correction and full implementation of professional allowances based on the 2001 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), especially call duty allowances
Settlement of all outstanding arrears of CONMESS, clinical duty, and accoutrement allowances
Immediate payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) and a review to reflect inflation
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Release of the long-delayed circular on Clinical Duty Allowances for honorary consultants
Approval and implementation of scarce skills, specialist, and excess workload allowances
Full hazard allowance compliance as per the 2021 CBA
Universal application of CONMESS across all federal health institutions
MDCAN also called for the reversal of what it described as the “improper appointment” of non-medical professionals as consultants, warning that such practices could compromise patient care and safety.
The association further urged the Federal Government to implement a comprehensive health insurance scheme for all medical and dental practitioners, revise the retirement age, and introduce robust welfare policies to address the brain drain in the health sector.
MDCAN gave a 21-day ultimatum, warning that failure to address its demands could result in severe disruptions to health services nationwide.
“We are confident that the government will act within this window to avert a nationwide crisis in the healthcare sector,” the statement read. “MDCAN stands in full solidarity with the NMA and awaits further directives as events unfold.”
The NMA had earlier issued its own ultimatum, demanding the withdrawal of the circular and fulfillment of other long-standing obligations to avoid industrial action in the already fragile health system.