The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has charged the Federal Government to urgently conclude and implement the outstanding Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with health workers, warning that further delays are driving dissatisfaction and accelerating the exodus of medical professionals from the country.
The association also demanded the immediate implementation of a 65-year retirement age for clinical health workers as a key measure to retain experienced hands amid the worsening shortage of skilled personnel in the health sector.
NMA President, Prof. Afekhide Ernest Omoti, presented the association’s position on Friday in Abuja while briefing journalists on resolutions reached at its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting. The communiqué was jointly signed by Omoti and Secretary-General, Dr Tamunokuro Diamond.
Omoti noted that prolonged failure to address the legitimate concerns of health workers has fuelled deep frustration within the workforce. He urged the government to conclude, approve, sign and implement the CBA in time for its provisions to be captured in the 2027 Appropriation Bill.
According to the NMA, retaining seasoned clinicians has become critical given the continuous migration of doctors and other health professionals. Implementing the 65-year retirement age, it said, would help keep experienced personnel in the system while broader solutions to workforce shortages are pursued.
On the security situation, the association expressed deep concern over the rising wave of kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and killings across the country, describing these as major threats to national security and a public health emergency.
The NMA stressed that healthcare workers cannot effectively serve communities when their lives and safety remain under constant threat. It called on the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to tackle insecurity and strengthen protection around healthcare facilities and personnel, especially in vulnerable areas.
The association specifically appealed for the safe release of a medical doctor from Niger State who has reportedly been in captivity for about four months.
“Healthcare workers are essential to the survival and wellbeing of our communities. They should not have to choose between serving their patients and protecting their own lives,” the NMA stated.
The association also sought tax waivers, rebates and other relief measures for healthcare professionals in both public and private sectors. It expressed particular worry over multiple taxation of doctors running private hospitals and the high cost of electricity, noting that such burdens are often transferred to patients.
The NMA further called for universal applicability of salaries, wages and income for doctors, irrespective of whether they work in federal or state institutions, universities or local government areas.
On infrastructure, the association highlighted the poor state of roads nationwide, saying the situation is severely undermining healthcare delivery. Bad roads delay emergency care, impede referrals, disrupt the movement of medicines and supplies, and make it difficult for health workers to reach underserved communities.
It therefore urged governments at all levels to prioritise the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of roads leading to healthcare facilities, particularly in rural areas.
The NMA also raised the alarm over the growing prevalence of drug and substance abuse among young Nigerians, describing it as an emerging public health emergency with serious implications for mental health, families, communities and the productive workforce.
It called on the Federal Government to declare the problem a national public health priority, strengthen prevention and enlightenment programmes, regulate access to harmful substances, and expand mental health and addiction treatment services across all levels of care.
While acknowledging ongoing government investments in healthcare infrastructure and service delivery, Omoti emphasised that buildings alone cannot deliver quality care without a motivated, protected and properly remunerated workforce.
“A hospital building without doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and other skilled professionals cannot provide the quality of care Nigerians deserve,” the association said.
“Nigeria is losing some of its finest medical professionals to other countries because of difficult working conditions, insecurity, inadequate remuneration, limited career opportunities and other systemic challenges. This trend must be urgently reversed.”
The NMA reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement with government in the collective effort to build a stronger and more resilient healthcare system for the country.
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