Katsina Doctors Threaten Strike
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Katsina State chapter, has joined its members nationwide in rejecting the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission’s (NSIWC) amendment.
The association, in a communique arising from its executive council meeting on Saturday in Katsina, expressed disappointment over a circular purportedly issued by the Federal Government to address salary adjustments for medical and dental practitioners in Nigeria.
The NMA described the circular as “grossly inadequate, misleading and a flagrant violation of the spirit and letter of agreements reached during the collective bargaining process between NMA and the federal government.”
According to the Katsina NMA, the healthcare sector is on the brink of collapse due to unfulfilled promises and poor welfare for doctors.
It urged the government to address their demands as outlined by the National Official Committee (NOC) on July 2nd, 2025.
The NSIWC had on June 27, 2025, issued a circular to adjust allowances under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).
However, state chapters of the medical association nationwide have criticised it for allegedly eroding the relativity structure in the healthcare sector and violating Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) from 2001, 2009, and 2014.
On July 2, the NMA issued an ultimatum over the circular on revised allowances for medical and dental officers in the federal public service.
The doctors argue that the circular violates prior agreements and has drawn widespread criticism from medical associations, including the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors.
The Katsina branch of the association in a circular jointly signed by the Chairman, NMA Katsina, Dr. Muhammadu Sani, and the Secretary, Dr. Yahya Salisu stated, “NMA Katsina State branch hereby rejects national salaries, incomes and wages commission’s (NSIWC) circular (SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646) dated 27th June, 2025 on review of allowances for medical/dental officers in the Federal public service: Demands urgent government withdrawal action and fulfillment of all the demands.”
The NMA said the circular is grossly inadequate, misleading and constitutes flagrant violation of the spirit and letter of the agreements reached during the collective bargaining (CBA) process between the NMA and the federal government.
It further stated, “With the immense and urgent Brain drain experience across the nation and the debilitating effect of Work burnout, our members are exposed to on a daily basis, the government ought to have improved the welfare, remuneration and social services that will boost the morale of the remaining Doctors who have sacrificed to serve our dear fatherland.
“Instead, the silent and unfulfilled promises made by successive governments have pushed the healthcare sector to the brink. The biting economic crisis and reduction in purchasing power have made the income nothing to show for.
“Our members are dedicated and hardworking, and it is only right for the government to leave up to their responsibilities of ensuring a healthier society. With the Expiration of the 21-day grace period and the upcoming EDM a week from now, we are solidly behind the National Official Committee (NOC) stance and decisions.”
The association reiterated that it cannot guarantee non-disruption in the health services rendered to citizens at the expiration of the 21-day ultimatum.
Katsina Doctors Threaten Strike is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
