The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has revealed its intention to convene a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting next month to determine whether a nationwide strike will be initiated.

Dr. Victor Makanjuola, President of MDCAN, disclosed this during a telephone interview.

The association had previously issued a communique that included a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government (FG) to address their demands, threatening industrial unrest.

This ultimatum, which was issued after the NEC meeting on August 7, 2023, is set to expire on August 28, 2023.

However, Dr. Makanjuola clarified that the association is extending the deadline until August 31, 2023, as the government received the ultimatum letter on August 11, 2023.

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He explained that the decision regarding a potential strike will be reached during the Biennial Delegate Meeting scheduled from September 4th to 10th.

Thus, the association’s NEC meeting around August 31 will determine their course of action.

The consultants’ demands encompass multiple aspects, including a review of the recently revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) circular to reflect agreed-upon percentages on both basic salary and allowances, correction of the implementation error in the upward review of CONMESS, consideration of the impacts of fuel subsidy removal and high inflation in the review, and more.

Dr. Makanjuola highlighted the necessity of implementing the upward review of age retirement, rectifying remuneration shortfalls for Clinical Lecturers, and ensuring doctors’ safety as minimum conditions to avoid a strike.