Arising from its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting which held in Abuja, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has given the Federal Government up till January 31, 2024 to implement the Revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and accoutrement allowance with arrears from June 2023.
According to a communiqué issued by the NMA at the end of its December 2023 NEC meeting held from December 10 to 17, the NEC stated that the NMA will not be responsible for the breakdown of industrial harmony in the health sector if the Federal Government did not implement the revised CONMESS and accoutrement allowance with arrears.
In the Communique signed by the President of NMA, Dr. Uche R. Ojinmah and Dr. Jide Onyekwelu, secretary-general of the association, the NEC urged governments at all levels to prioritise the health and well-being of all Nigerians by rolling out robust palliative measures, and other social intervention strategies aimed at cushioning the present hunger and harsh economic condition in the country with the aim of lifting millions of Nigerians out of multidimensional poverty.
Furthermore, The NEC called on the Federal Government to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of the one per cent Consolidated Revenue Fund, increase budgetary allocation to the health sector to at least 15 per cent in line with Abuja Declaration of 2001 and exploring other innovative funding options for our health sector.
In addition, the NEC also appealed to the Nigerian government to take urgent action to mitigate the impact of exodus of some pharmaceutical companies by creating a friendly business environment and investing in the domestic pharmaceutical industry.
Similarly, the NEC called on the Management of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State to immediately cease and desist from coercing her medical students into an unapproved intercalated programme but rather legally and holistically address the root cause of her problem which is over admission into her medical school.
“The NEC also directed NMA Edo, to do everything possible under the law to ensure the rights and privileges of the medical students were not trampled upon. NMA also calls on the management of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi State to quickly stop the overinflated school fees and paying of fees without appropriate progression.”
Furthermore, the NEC warned that the NMA shall bare its fangs at these institutions if they do not quickly embrace change.
