By MUHAMMAD NASIR

The Medical and Dental Specialists Association in Basic Medical Sciences (MeDSABAMS) has backed the Nigeria Medical Association’s (NMA’s) 21-day ultimatum following a circular by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC).

In a statement issued on Tuesday in Sokoto, MeDSABAMS warned of an impending collapse of Nigeria’s medical education system and a worsening of healthcare delivery if urgent action is not taken.

Signed by its National President, Prof. Abdulgafar Jimoh, and National Secretary, Dr. John Anionye, the statement called on President Bola Tinubu and other well-meaning Nigerians to intervene promptly to prevent the crisis from escalating.

Representing specialist doctors teaching in Nigeria’s university Colleges of Medicine, the association described the NSIWC circular—dated June 27—as a unilateral and deeply flawed move to alter the remuneration structure of medical and dental professionals without proper consultation.

“The circular undermines years of hard-won collective bargaining agreements between medical professionals and the Federal Government,” the statement added.

MeDSABAMS warned that if the circular was allowed to stand, it could further fuel the mass exodus of medical professionals—popularly referred to as the Japa syndrome—from both hospitals and academic institutions.

The association decried the deteriorating working and living conditions of medical and dental academics in Nigerian universities, highlighting growing disparities between academic and clinical medical staff, especially in terms of welfare and recognition.

Reaffirming its alignment with the NMA’s 19-point demand, MeDSABAMS emphasised the urgent need to withdraw the NSIWC circular, correct salary relativities, settle long-overdue arrears, and recognise academic doctors in professional allowance frameworks.

In addition to backing the NMA’s position, MeDSABAMS submitted its own demands to address the neglect faced by academic medical professionals.

“These include: Basic Medical and Clinical Demonstration Allowances, Preclinical Laboratory Duty Allowances, Medically Qualified Endangered Field Allowance, and other incentives aimed at retaining qualified personnel in academia,” it said.

The association also criticised the Federal Government’s continued increase in medical school admission quotas without a corresponding effort to improve the welfare of the academic staff tasked with training the students.

“This is like placing the cart before the horse,” the statement said, warning that the current approach is unsustainable and could lead to systemic collapse.

MeDSABAMS reiterated its call for comprehensive reforms to make medical education and practice in Nigeria attractive again.

While affirming its commitment to constructive dialogue, MeDSABAMS stressed it would not hesitate to align fully with the NMA, including participating in possible industrial action, if their demands are not met.

“We are completely behind the NMA and are willing to go the entire haul,” the statement concluded. (NAN)