Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The NAMDA strike could begin nationwide if the Federal Government fails to resolve outstanding salary and welfare disputes within 21 days, the Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) warns.
The ultimatum was announced on Tuesday in Abuja by NAMDA President Professor Nosa Orhue following a meeting of the union’s National Executive Council.
Orhue says the association has engaged the government through negotiations for more than two years without achieving meaningful progress.
He says talks on renegotiating the 2009 agreement have remained stalled since 9 April despite repeated engagements.
According to Orhue, medical academics continue to suffer salary disparities despite performing the same clinical duties as hospital consultants.
He argues that university-based medical lecturers combine teaching, research, surgeries, patient care and hospital administration while earning less than consultants with equivalent qualifications.
The union says medical and dental academics should remain on the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), describing it as the only acceptable salary framework for its members.
Orhue alleges that some government agencies are frustrating the implementation of salary parity despite support from the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, who has reportedly communicated the position to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
He also rejects the migration of members above 65 years from CONMESS to the Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure (CONUASS), describing the policy as a demotion that reduces retirement benefits.
The association further demands payment of earned academic and professorial allowances, implementation of special pension benefits for retired hospital-based academics and opposition to the National Universities Commission’s requirement that medical academics obtain PhD qualifications.
“If there is no meaningful progress within the next 21 days, the NEC will reconvene to determine the union’s next line of action,” Orhue says.
NAMDA also expresses support for the Federal Government’s preparedness against a possible Ebola outbreak and pledges to contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s public health response.
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Oluwatobi Adu 