PRESS STATEMENT

NIGERIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (NMA) REJECTS THE CONSOLIDATED TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS SALARY STRUCTURE (CONTISS)

The Nigerian Medical Association examined the recently circularized Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS) at its National Officers’ Committee meeting held on Saturday, January 27, 2007 and hereby expresses its total rejection of the CONTISS circular as it affects Medical/Dental Practitioners in Nigeria.

The Association notes with dismay the failure of the Federal Government to accommodate the inputs and demands of the Association in the newly circulated CONTISS Salary Structure, despite its numerous assurances.

It is our considered opinion that the new Salary Structure as it affects Medical/Dental Practitioners does not have the capability to retain or attract skilled Medical/Dental personnel as it has left Medical/Dental Practitioners worse off.

The Association also firmly believes that implementation of the Salary Structure negates the objectives of the health sector reform program of the Federal Government, especially with regards to attainment of the Millennium Development Goals, (MDGs).

The Association notes with regret that in this era of democracy, the government gave no expression to the principle of collective bargaining before contriving the CONTISS Salary Structure for Medical/Dental Practitioners.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Association reiterates its request for the Medical Salary Scale and Medical Salary Super Scale (MSS and MSSS). This, the Association believes, remains the best way to retain and attract skilled Medical/Dental personnel in Nigeria. The Association also believes this is the only way to guarantee the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

The Association notes the intense restiveness amongst Medical/Dental Practitioners engendered by the CONTISS Salary Structure and hereby call on Government to urgently redress the situation by withdrawing the CONTISS Salary Structure as it affects Medical and Dental Practitioners in Nigeria, and integrating the demands of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).

DR. DAN GANA, mni
PRESIDENT