The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has debunked claims circulated by the Trade union congress (TUC) and Nigeria Labour Congress that the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) was upgraded in 2014.
In a press statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Dr Mannir Bature, it was clarified that what was described as an upgrade by TUC and NLC was, in fact, a corrective measure to rectify a long-standing distortion in the application of the salary framework.
He stated that the action taken in 2014 was intended to restore CONMESS to its rightful, previously approved position according to public service guidelines. “The attempt to portray this correction as preferential treatment is misleading and inaccurate,” “Such narratives risk creating unnecessary tension and fuelling avoidable inter-professional discord at a time when unity is critically needed to address systemic challenges in the health system.” He said.
He expressed concern over the adversarial tone and public ultimatums issued by the TUC and NLC. The medical body urged the leadership of the two labour union to exercise restraint and verify technical facts before making public pronouncements that could misinform workers and the general public.
The association further called on the Federal Government to remain committed to the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) process. According to Bature, the CBA remains the only lawful and structured platform for addressing remuneration and welfare concerns within the healthcare sector.
Asides the salary dispute, he also highlighted the need for a strategic remodelling of the health workforce. He recommended that the government prioritize retention of frontline clinicians, Efficiency in service delivery, and outsourcing of support services.
Bature ended with a reaffirmation of the association’s commitment to inter-professional harmony and constructive dialogue. It warned that fragmented interventions or responses driven by pressure rather than due process would fail to deliver lasting industrial peace.
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