The Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has aligned with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in demanding a complete withdrawal of the recent circular issued by National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) after it turned down revised allowances outlined by the for medical and dental officers in the federal public service.
Prof. Muhammad Muhammad, and General Secretary, Prof. Daiyabu Ibrahim, in a joint statement, described the June 27, 2025, circular (SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646) as “grossly inadequate, misleading, and a flagrant violation” of long-standing collective bargaining agreements with the Federal Government.
It would be recalled that MDCAN has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the government, warning that failure to act on its demands could result in the disruption of health services.
MDCAN had called for immediate correction of consequential salary adjustments and compliance with agreements dating back to 2001, 2009, and 2014, especially in the relativity between the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).
Other demands include the payment of all outstanding arrears related to 25/35 per cent CONMESS, clinical duty, and accoutrement allowances, as well as the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF). The association also kicked against the appointment of non-medical personnel as consultants in hospitals on the grounds of patient safety and professional standards, while calling for a reversal of such appointments.
“The immediate reversal of the appointment of other healthcare professionals as consultants in hospitals is necessary to ensure patient safety and uphold standards of care,” the statement read.
“MDCAN is confident that the Federal Government will do all it takes to resolve these issues within the 21-day window period, to avert the potential disruptions in healthcare services and its attendant consequences if these concerns are not resolved,” the association said.
MDCAN further demanded the universal application of CONMESS across all government institutions, revised retirement age implementation, and comprehensive health insurance for all medical and dental practitioners, along with enhanced welfare provisions.
