🏥 Doctors to FG: Fix Our Pay or Face a Strike – 21 Days and Counting

Nigeria’s healthcare system may be heading toward another crisis.

The Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, rejecting a newly revised allowance package they describe as “grossly inadequate, misleading, and a violation of long-standing agreements.”

And they’re not alone—the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) is backing them all the way.

💸 What’s the Fight About?

At the heart of the standoff is a circular issued on June 27, 2025, by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC). The circular outlines revised allowances for medical and dental officers—but doctors say it ignores years of collective bargaining and undermines their professional worth.

Their demands include:

• Immediate withdrawal of the June 27 circular
• Correction of salary adjustments based on agreements from 2001, 2009, and 2014
• Full payment of outstanding arrears (25/35% CONMESS, clinical duty, accoutrement allowances)
• Release of circulars on clinical duty and excess workload allowances
• Implementation of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF)
• Reversal of appointments of non-doctors as hospital consultants
• Universal application of CONMESS across all institutions
• Health insurance and welfare packages for all medical professionals

⚠️ What’s at Stake?

If the government fails to act within the 21-day window, MDCAN warns of disruptions to healthcare services nationwide. And with the NMA threatening a nationwide strike, the consequences could be devastating for patients and hospitals already stretched thin.

“We’ve shown restraint for years,” said MDCAN President Prof. Muhammad Muhammad. “But this circular is a slap in the face to every doctor still choosing to serve in Nigeria.”

🧠 Final Thoughts—A System on Life Support

This isn’t just about money—it’s about respect, fairness, and survival. In a country where doctors are leaving in droves for better opportunities abroad, the government’s response to this ultimatum could determine whether Nigeria’s health sector heals—or flatlines.

📖 Read the full story on The Guardian Nigeria

💬 Do you think the doctors are right to issue this ultimatum? What’s the real cure for Nigeria’s healthcare crisis? Let’s talk.