TThe Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has commenced a seven-day nationwide warning strike, protesting the failure of the Nigerian government to address ongoing concerns, including the vice-chancellorship crisis at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) and unresolved demands relating to the welfare of medical consultants across the country.
The strike, which started at 12:00 midnight on Monday, November 18, 2024, follows a Virtual Extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on November 11, 2024, where MDCAN deliberated on a 21-day ultimatum issued to the government. The ultimatum demanded urgent action on several critical issues affecting its members.
A Call for Immediate Action on UNIZIK Leadership Crisis
One of the key issues sparking the strike is the ongoing leadership crisis at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The MDCAN has expressed deep frustration over the actions of the Governing Council Chairman, who has allegedly disregarded due process in the appointment of a Vice Chancellor at the university. Despite the government’s clear directive halting the process and nullifying any appointments, MDCAN claims that some appointees are still holding office.
In a communique issued after the NEC meeting, MDCAN condemned the “reckless disregard for due process” by the governing council and called for the immediate removal of the council chairman. The association believes that this continued disregard for the government’s directives undermines the authority of the Ministry of Education and contributes to further instability in the country’s academic institutions.
Unresolved Issues Affecting Medical Consultants
In addition to the UNIZIK crisis, the MDCAN is demanding urgent reforms concerning the retirement age of medical consultants, as well as improvements to the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS). According to the association, the government’s failure to harmonize the retirement age of medical consultants to 70 years is a significant oversight that hinders the career progression of experienced medical professionals in the country.
The MDCAN has also raised concerns about the shortfall in critical manpower for training, research, and healthcare services in Nigerian universities and hospitals. The association believes that addressing these issues is crucial for improving the quality of healthcare and medical education in the country.
Government’s Failure to Address Financial Demands
MDCAN’s grievances also include the non-implementation of CONMESS for clinical lecturers in Nigerian universities. The structure, which was designed to address the financial disparity among medical professionals, has not been universally applied, leading to dissatisfaction among members.
The association is also demanding the payment of arrears for the 2023 and 2024 Clinical Duty Allowance and the 2023 25%/35% CONMESS arrears, which it claims are long overdue.
“These issues have been on our agenda for too long,” said Prof. Mohammad Aminu Mohammad, MDCAN’s President. “The government has failed to take concrete steps to address our demands, despite repeated reminders. This strike is a last resort to force the government to act.”
The Nationwide Strike’s Impact
The nationwide strike, which will last from November 18 to November 24, 2024, will affect all services rendered by MDCAN members in Nigerian universities and hospitals. This includes medical consultants working in teaching hospitals, research institutions, and clinical settings across the country.
MDCAN’s decision to go on strike has already sent shockwaves through the medical and educational sectors, with many Nigerians now facing the possibility of disrupted medical services during the period. Patients seeking treatment in hospitals and universities offering medical courses are likely to experience delays in consultations and treatments.
“We have had no choice but to take this step,” said Prof. Daiyabu Alhaji Ibrahim, MDCAN’s Secretary General. “The government’s continued inaction on these pressing issues is harming the medical profession and ultimately affecting the quality of healthcare and education in the country.”
MDCAN’s list of demands is clear and urgent. The association is calling for the immediate removal of the Governing Council Chairman at UNIZIK, the harmonization of the retirement age for medical consultants to 70 years, and the full implementation of CONMESS for all medical lecturers. It is also seeking the payment of long-overdue arrears for clinical duty allowances.
Furthermore, MDCAN is requesting that the government develop an inclusive advertisement for the office of the Vice Chancellor that would serve as a prototype, citing the recent advertisement by Ahmadu Bello University Zaria as a model for the process.
“We need reforms that will protect the interests of medical consultants and ensure that they are treated fairly,” said Prof. Mohammad. “We cannot continue to work under conditions that undermine our ability to perform effectively.”
The MDCAN leadership has also indicated that it will reconvene on Sunday, November 24, 2024, to assess the situation and determine the next steps, depending on the government’s response.
