‘Claims By Labour Misleading’ – NMA Rejects NLC, TUC Claims Of CONMESS Upgrade For Doctors

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has dismissed claims by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) that medical doctors benefited from an upgrade of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), describing the allegation as misleading and capable of worsening industrial tension in the health sector.

The association said there was no upgrade of CONMESS in 2014 as alleged by organised labour, but rather a correction of long-standing distortions in the implementation of the salary structure.

Naijaonpoint reports that the National Publicity Secretary of the NMA, Dr Mannir Bature, made the clarification on Monday while addressing journalists in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, in response to the ultimatum issued by the NLC and TUC over the ongoing nationwide industrial action by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).

According to the NMA, the action taken in 2014 was in line with existing approvals and public service guidelines and only restored CONMESS to its originally approved position.

Bature stressed that correcting an anomaly cannot, by any standard, be equated with an upgrade or preferential treatment.

“The NMA wishes to unequivocally clarify that there was no upgrade of CONMESS whatsoever as falsely claimed.

“What occurred was a correction of a long-standing error and distortion in the application of the CONMESS framework, which had persisted despite clear approvals and established public service guidelines,” he said.

He added that the corrective action merely returned the salary structure to its rightful position.

“This corrective action merely restored CONMESS to its previously approved position. By every objective, technical and administrative definition, a correction of an anomaly does not amount to an upgrade,” the statement read.

The association warned that portraying the correction as special treatment for doctors was inaccurate and capable of creating unnecessary inter-professional conflict at a time the health sector is already facing severe systemic challenges.

It expressed concern over what it described as the adversarial tone adopted by labour unions through public ultimatums, noting that such sensitive issues required careful verification and technical understanding.

“The NMA is particularly concerned about the adversarial tone and issuance of public ultimatums on a matter that requires careful verification, technical understanding and institutional engagement,” it said.

‘We Urge TUC, NLC And TUC To Exercise Caution’

The NMA urged the NLC and TUC to exercise restraint and responsibility in their public communications, warning that misinformation on remuneration issues could mislead workers and the general public.

“We urge the TUC and NLC to exercise caution, restraint and responsibility in their public communications, especially on sensitive salary structure issues, so as not to misinform workers or the general public,” the association added.

The association also called on the Federal Government to remain committed to the ongoing Collective Bargaining Agreement process, describing it as the appropriate and lawful platform for resolving industrial and welfare concerns in the health sector.

It further urged the government to prioritise workforce rationalisation that strengthens frontline clinical services, particularly through the retention and incentivisation of doctors and nurses.

The NMA also recommended structured outsourcing of non-core support services to improve efficiency and service delivery.

“Greater policy attention should be directed towards retaining, strengthening and incentivising frontline clinical workers, particularly doctors and nurses, who bear primary responsibility for direct patient care and clinical decision-making,” it stated.

The association reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement, transparency and inter-professional harmony in the overall interest of healthcare workers and the Nigerian public.