NMA Threatens Strike Over Dismissal of Doctors
The Nigerian Medical Association, Federal Capital Territory branch, has issued a 14-day strike ultimatum to the management of the National Hospital, Abuja, demanding the immediate reinstatement of three medical doctors who were dismissed after being employed as locum consultants for three years.
The association has warned that failure to reverse the dismissal would lead to a total and indefinite strike action by its members at the hospital, beginning June 30, 2025.
According to a memo dated June 13, 2025, and addressed to the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Muhammad Mahmud, the NMA FCT condemned the dismissal of the three doctors, describing it as “selective victimisation” and “scapegoating”.
The memo, jointly signed by the association’s Chairman, Dr. Ayogu Emeka, and Assistant Secretary, Dr. Usman Hafiz, noted that the dismissed doctors had been casualised as locum consultants for three years without justification before being abruptly disengaged by the hospital’s management.
The NMA FCT stated that the decision to dismiss the three doctors was not only unjust but also reflective of systemic issues plaguing the Nigerian healthcare system.
The association pointed out that only three doctors were dismissed out of 30 who had served in the same locum consultant capacity, highlighting the unfairness of the decision.
The association revealed that several attempts were made to resolve the matter through peaceful engagement and advocacy, all of which were ignored by the hospital’s management. Appeals were made by the NMA President, Dr. Bala Audu, the NMA FCT Chairman, and a high-level advocacy committee made up of respected senior doctors.
The committee held meetings with the hospital’s leadership in a bid to achieve an amicable resolution and avoid any industrial action, but these efforts yielded no result.
The NMA FCT warned that if the hospital’s management fails to reinstate the dismissed doctors, its members would embark on a total and indefinite strike action, which would have severe consequences for patients and the healthcare system as a whole.
The association’s Congress reached the decision at its Ordinary General Meeting held on June 11, 2025, in Abuja, and the memo obtained by PUNCH Healthwise noted that the strike action would begin on June 30, 2025, if the demands are not met.
The development has raised concerns about the welfare of medical professionals in the country and the potential impact of the strike on the already overstretched healthcare system. The NMA FCT has urged the hospital’s management to reconsider its decision and reinstate the dismissed doctors to avoid the impending strike action.
