Our Reporter
The South-West Caucus of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has issued a stern warning that its members may embark on strike action if the Federal Government does not retract a recent circular introducing unfavourable allowances for doctors.
The caucus, which represents doctors from the states of Osun, Oyo, Ekiti, Ogun, and Ondo, made this declaration at a press conference held in Osogbo, Osun State, on Tuesday.
The Chairman of the South-West Caucus, Dr Adeshina Fasanu, expressed dissatisfaction with the recent adjustments to doctors’ allowances, issued by the National Salary, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC). He stated that the allowances did not align with the current economic realities faced by healthcare professionals in Nigeria.
Fasanu, who also serves as the Chairman of the Osun State NMA, emphasised that the national leadership of the NMA had already issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to address the issue and withdraw the circular.
He affirmed that the South-West Caucus stands in solidarity with the national NMA leadership and reiterated the demands for immediate corrections to the allowances, which should reflect the terms of previous Collective Bargaining Agreements from 2001, 2009, and 2014.
Key demands outlined by the caucus included the full payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund and a comprehensive review of the fund to reflect current economic conditions.
Chairman of the Ondo State NMA, Dr Olumuyiwa Alonge, also criticised the lack of consultation with medical practitioners before the circular was issued. He pointed out that this was an especially critical time for the Nigerian medical profession, as the country is grappling with a severe shortage of doctors.
With a doctor-to-patient ratio of 1:10,000, Alonge argued that doctors must be sufficiently motivated and adequately compensated to retain talent within the Nigerian healthcare system.
The Ekiti State NMA Chairman, Dr Ifedayo Oreyemi, highlighted the alarming rate at which Nigerian doctors are leaving the country.
According to Oreyemi, approximately 2,000 doctors emigrate annually in search of better opportunities abroad. He stressed that unless the government addresses the welfare of medical professionals, the exodus of doctors will continue, further straining the country’s already fragile healthcare system.
Chairman of Ogun State NMA, Dr Luqman Ogunjimi, expressed concern that the new allowances would further demoralise doctors, many of whom are already overworked and underpaid.
He argued that the government’s failure to improve doctors’ welfare would deter medical practitioners from staying in Nigeria to practice.
Echoing these sentiments,Chairman of the Oyo State NMA, Dr Happy Adedapo, described the new allowances as insignificant, especially in light of Nigeria’s rising inflation and economic hardships. He called on the government to be more responsive to the challenges faced by healthcare professionals.
In addition to the immediate correction of the allowances, the South-West Caucus also demanded the implementation of the 2021 hazard allowance agreement and the enforcement of the revised retirement age for medical and dental practitioners.
The caucus made it clear that if the Federal Government fails to address these concerns within the given timeframe, an emergency meeting will be convened to decide the next course of action, which could include industrial action. The NMA leadership warned that such a strike would be in line with national demands for better conditions for healthcare professionals.
Nigeria’s healthcare sector has been under strain for several years due to insufficient funding, an underpaid and overstretched medical workforce, and a lack of resources in public health institutions. The country faces an acute shortage of medical professionals, with a significant number of doctors opting to emigrate in search of better pay, working conditions, and career prospects abroad.
Doctors in Nigeria have long raised concerns about the poor state of the healthcare system, highlighting the challenges of inadequate facilities, underpayment, and poor working conditions. Despite efforts by the government to improve the situation, many medical professionals feel that their demands for better welfare and working conditions have not been adequately addressed. This ongoing frustration has led to multiple strikes in the past, with the NMA warning that further action could be taken if their demands remain unmet.