Nigeria’s healthcare sector is facing a major crisis as both the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) have issued strike notices over longstanding grievances against the Federal Government. The NMA has given the government a 21-day ultimatum to meet its demands or face a total and indefinite nationwide strike by medical doctors. Meanwhile, nurses under the NANNM umbrella have begun a 7-day warning strike, shutting down nursing services in federal hospitals across the country.
The NMA’s demands include the implementation of previously signed Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) and the payment of seven-month arrears from the 25/35% CONMESS adjustment. The association is also seeking the withdrawal of a circular from the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC) on the review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Scale (CONMESS). The NMA expressed disappointment over the lingering negotiations with the Federal Government and condemned the government’s attitude towards doctors’ welfare.
The NANNM is demanding the creation of a Department of Nursing at the Federal Ministry of Health, upward review of shift duty and specialist allowances, a secure and conducive work environment, and well-equipped hospitals to curb outbound medical tourism. The union criticized the recent review of nurses’ allowances as inadequate, stating that it failed to address key welfare issues.
The strike notices have raised fears of a total collapse of public healthcare services in Nigeria. With both doctors and nurses threatening to withdraw their services, patients may be left without access to essential medical care. The strikes have already begun to affect hospitals across the country, with nurses withdrawing their services and doctors preparing for a possible indefinite strike
The Federal Government has yet to respond to the strike notices, but the outcome of the negotiations will determine the fate of the healthcare sector. The government must address the demands of both the NMA and NANNM to prevent a total collapse of public healthcare services and ensure that patients receive the medical care they need.
