The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Akwa Ibom State branch, has issued a five-day ultimatum to the management of St. Luke’s Hospital, Anua, demanding the commencement of negotiations on improved remuneration and enhanced conditions of service for its medical personnel.
The directive was contained in a communiqué jointly signed by the state chairman, Prof. Aniekan Peter, and the state secretary, Dr. Ighorodje Edesiri, released to reporters in Uyo on Saturday.
According to the association, members reviewed the outcome of a recent engagement with the hospital’s administrator over concerns bordering on poor remuneration and the non-remittance of professional dues.
The NMA stated that doctors employed by the hospital are not being remunerated in accordance with the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), the approved salary framework for medical doctors in public health institutions.
The communiqué read: “The meeting reviewed developments following the recent encounter with the Administrator of St. Luke’s Hospital, Anua, concerning poor remuneration of his staff and remittance of dues by the facility.
“Congress mandated a five-day ultimatum to the management of St. Luke’s Hospital, Anua, to open discussions concerning the upward review of staff salaries to align with CONMESS and to develop conditions of service for staff under the hospital’s employment.”
The association warned that failure to reach a satisfactory agreement within the stipulated period would leave it with no option but to embark on industrial action.
“Congress mandates that if no reasonable compromise is reached at the end of the ultimatum, the state branch shall issue a warning strike, and possibly an indefinite strike,” the communiqué added.
The NMA said the action is intended to ensure that medical practitioners at the facility receive fair remuneration that reflects their professional training, workload, and prevailing economic realities, while also guaranteeing equitable employment conditions.
