Anambra NMA rejects newly approved allowances, backs 18-Point Demands, Ultimatum

The Anambra Chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) says it has rejected the circular issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) for medical and dental officers in Nigeria on June 25.

This was contained in the resolution reached at the end the Emergency General Meeting of the Anambra NMA on Tuesday.

The resolution which was signed by Dr Princeston Okam and Dr Ifeanyi Obiaeli, Chairman and Secretary respectively expressed 100 per cent solidarity with the national leadership of the body which issued a 21-day ultimatum on Monday.

The chapter said the emergency meeting was to update members on the ongoing 21-day ultimatum issued by the NOC of the NMA in reaction to the circular issued by NSIWC regarding the review of allowances for Medical and Dental Officers

The Anambra NMA said the circular breached relativity and is a clear violation of previously established Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) in blatant disregard for the welfare of members.

The EGM promised to sensitise members on the legitimacy of their demands and called for a stable administrative structure to check haphazard approach and lack of continuity in addressing various issues affecting doctors.

“The circular was unjust, demoralising, and a clear breach of existing agreements, which undermines the value and welfare of medical professionals in the public sector.

“NMA Anambra rejects in its entirety the circular issued on June 27, 2025 on the review of allowances for Medical and Dental Officers.

“The EGM unanimously uphold the 18-point demands presented by the National Officers’ Committee to the Federal Government and keyed into the 21-day Ultimatum to Federal Government,” it said.

The Anambra chapter called on the national leadership to raise the ladder on their demands for relativity ratio and take into account the course load of their academic programme.

NMA Anambra chapter appreciated the affiliate leaders, members and the entire congress in the state for their solidarity and commitment to the cause of defending the dignity, nobility, and rightful entitlements of doctors.

“The congress mandates the State leadership to support all measures that will lead to actualisation of our demands including but not limited to Strike action if demands were not at the end of the 21- day ultimatum,” it said.

Some of the demands of the NMA were immediate withdrawal of the circular and correction of consequential adjustments in line with the agreements of 2001, 2009, and 2014

*Correction of the relativity agreed between CONMESS and CONHESS and compliance with relativity in all professional allowances in accordance with the 2001 CBA, particularly call duty allowances, and the payment of all accrued backlogs.

*Settlement of all outstanding arrears of 25/35% CONMESS, clinical duty and accoutrement allowances owed to medical and dental practitioners and payment of Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) for 2025 and review to reflect prevailing economic realties.

“Immediate convocation of the long-overdue CBA negotiations on CONMESS and immediate Release of the Circular on Clinical Duty and other allowances for honorary consultants as agreed in January 2024.

“Implementation of scarce skills allowances for medical consultants, approval of specialist allowances for all doctors., approval of excess workload allowances for all doctors”

“Compliance with CBA of 2021 on hazard allowance, implementation of subsisting CONMESS circular of 2024 for house officers and universal application of the CONMESS across Federal and state to combat Intemal brain drain.

“We also demand provision of comprehensive health insurance coverage for all medical and dental practitioners, constitution of management boards for federal hospitals to enhance governance and operational efficiency.

“Issuance of a circular implementing the reviewed retirement age for medical and dental practitioners and implementation of robust welfare and well-being packages for healthcare workers.

“Immediate reversal of the appointment of other healthcare professionals as Consultants in hospitals, to ensure patient safety and uphold standards of care.