The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State Branch, has rejected the deduction and reduction of salaries of state-employed doctors, calling on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to restore their pay to the pre-April 2025 structure.

The association stated this on Monday at a press briefing in Lagos as part of its 2025 Annual General Meeting and Annual General Conference.

The Lagos NMA chairman, Dr. Babajide Kehinde, said the cut in doctors’ salaries was unacceptable, stressing that the current workload and economic realities demanded better welfare, not less.

He said, “We therefore call on the Governor of Lagos State, Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, to ensure the salary of members in the employment of the state is restored to the pre-April 2025 salary. Though we believe they deserve more based on high workload and the Lagos State factors, the pre-April 2025 salary should be the minimum to be paid from September 2025.”

The association also raised concerns over the non-implementation of its national demands by the Federal Government, the non-provision of call duty meals at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, and the non-payment of owed skipping arrears.

At the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, the group condemned what it described as the “illegal acting capacity” by the medical director, Dr. Olugbenga Owoeye, insisting that due process must be followed in leadership appointments.

NMA Lagos further demanded an increment in the minimum wage for doctors and other health workers, while also calling for a single five-year tenure for chief medical directors and medical directors of tertiary hospitals.

The body said such a move would improve accountability and prevent abuse of office.

Speaking on the theme of this year’s AGM, “A Critical Appraisal of Nigeria’s Budgetary Allocations to Health: Negotiating for Better Medical Salary Scale and Relativity for Medical Doctors,” Kehinde faulted the 2025 health budget of N2.48 trillion, which represents 5.18 per cent of government spending.

He said the allocation fell short of the 15 per cent target agreed under the Abuja Declaration.

He stressed that poor funding and the erosion of salary relativity between doctors and other healthcare professionals were threatening industrial harmony in the sector.

“We call on government at all levels to prioritize healthcare funding, sustain salary relativity, and create a conducive environment for medical practice. We are determined to engage constructively, but we shall not hesitate to take firm action where necessary to defend the dignity of the medical profession and ensure quality healthcare for Nigerians,” he added. (The Guardian)