Medical services across Nigeria may be grounded from Thursday, July 25, as the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has warned of an impending nationwide strike if the Federal Government fails to meet its demands.
The President of the NMA, Professor Bala Audu, in an exclusive interview with Kiin360 on Sunday, said the association is ready to take decisive action after its 21-day ultimatum expires on July 23. He stressed that the demands of the doctors are not just important for their welfare but are critical to the survival of Nigeria’s already struggling healthcare system.
The association had on July 2 issued a 21-day notice to the government, calling for the immediate withdrawal of a controversial circular released by the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission. The circular proposed a revised allowance structure for medical and dental officers in the federal public service, which the doctors have rejected, describing it as a breach of earlier agreements.
Professor Audu stated that the circular included terms that were never mutually agreed upon and insisted that it undermines the remuneration and working conditions of doctors. He said the NMA expects any change to doctors’ welfare to result from proper consultation and not imposition.
According to him, “We have made our position clear. The ultimatum ends on July 23, and if the Federal Government does not address our demands, we may have no choice but to proceed with a strike.”
Professor Audu confirmed that meetings have been held between the NMA and key government officials including the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, and other top representatives of relevant ministries. However, he lamented that a follow-up meeting scheduled for last week was put on hold due to the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The NMA president added that another round of negotiations involving the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, and the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission is expected to take place this week, warning that failure to meet before the ultimatum ends would likely trigger the nationwide strike.
Meanwhile, the Katsina State branch of the NMA has expressed its anger over the situation. In a communique released after its State Executive Council meeting held on Saturday in Katsina, the branch described the controversial circular as unacceptable and demanded its immediate withdrawal. The communique signed by Dr Muhammadu Sani and Dr Yahya Salisu, Chairman and Secretary of the branch respectively, warned that continued government silence could disrupt health services in the state and across the country.
With only days left before the expiration of the ultimatum, Nigerians are now anxiously waiting to see if the government will act fast enough to avoid a crippling strike that could further strain the country’s fragile healthcare system.
