The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kwara Chapter, has commended the state government for approving key demands of striking doctors, leading to the suspension of a seven-day strike over welfare and remuneration.
The association’s chairman, Dr Suleiman Rotimi, gave the commendation on Thursday in Ilorin during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), saying the strike was suspended following the government’s intervention and attention to the doctors’ requests.
NAN reports that doctors under the Kwara Doctors Forum embarked on the seven-day strike to demand improved welfare and remuneration.
The NMA comprises the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, the Association of Resident Doctors and the Nigerian Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners.
Rotimi said all three NMA affiliates that participated in the strike had agreed to suspend the action following the state government’s response to their demands.
“As you are aware, the strike has been suspended. All the three affiliates of NMA that went on strike have all resolved to suspend the strike based on the attention that their request has received by the Kwara Government,” he said.
The NMA chairman said the Kwara State Government, led by Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, had approved some of the doctors’ key demands.
According to him, the approved demands include the reviewed 2024 Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), the 2025 Accoutrement Allowance and the suspension of further deductions of Kwara State Health Insurance (KWHIA) contributions from salaries.
Rotimi appreciated the state government for granting the doctors’ requests and said the association remained open to dialogue and negotiations on future issues.
“We want to use the opportunity to appreciate the government for granting their request.
“We assure you that NMA is always ready for dialogue and negotiations for other things that might come up in the future,” he said.
