The Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria has declared a seven-day warning strike over the Federal Government’s inability to take significant steps to address its demands.
The MDCAN had issued a 21-day ultimatum from October 21 to November 11, to stakeholders, including the Federal Government, to address its demands, or its members will withdraw their services nationwide.
The association expressed concerns regarding the exclusion of medical and dental lecturers based on the criteria used in the appointment for the selection process for the office of the Vice-Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.
It also demands the harmonisation of the retirement age of medical and dental consultants to 70 years to mitigate the effects of doctors’ migration; and the payment of the emoluments of medical lecturers with Consolidated Medical Salary Structure to correct the shortfalls in their emolument, entry-level, and their pension.
MDCAN had last week met with stakeholders at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and other ministries over its demands; and in a move to avert the strike, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate wrote to the Ministries of Education, Finance, Labour and Employment regarding the association’s demands.
A communique obtained showed that after extensive deliberations by the NEC on Monday, it observed that no significant progress has been
made in addressing all her demands.
The communique was signed by the National President of the association, Prof Muhammad Muhammad and the association’s Secretary-Generaal, Prof. Daiyabu Ibrahim.
“The NEC observes the reckless and utter disregard to due process by the Governing Council Chairman of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, leading to the selection of Vice Chancellor, despite the Government’s clear and unequivocal directive halting the process and nullifying any appointment made based on that process. The NEC noted with utter disbelieve, that such appointees are still parading themselves as
such.
“Failure of the Government to harmonise the retirement age of Medical
Consultants to 70 years, to address the current shortfall of critical manpower for training, research, and healthcare services in the country. Failure of the Government to universally implement the CONMESS for Clinical Lecturers in all Nigerian Universities, which aims to mitigate the current shortfalls in their Emolument, Entry Level, and Pension contribution of her members.
“The MDCAN NEC declares a seven-day warning strike affecting services rendered by her members in all Nigerian universities and hospitals from 12:00 midnight Monday, November 18th, 2024 to 12.00 midnight Sunday, November 24th, 2024,” the communique read partly.
The NEC demands that the FG immediately relieve the Chairman of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University of his appointment as council chairman, for his insubordination and to enforce the Ministry of Education’s directive nullifying any appointments subsequent to their directives.
It also asks “the FG to develop an all-inclusive prototype of advertisement for Office of Vice-Chancellor. The advertisement for the Office of Vice Chancellor as recently issued by Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, may serve as a prototype.
“The MDCAN NEC demands the harmonization of the retirement age of Medical Consultants to 70 years. The MDCAN NEC demands harmonisation of payment of emoluments of CONMESS to ensure universal applicability of CONMESS to all Medical and Dental
officers. Payment of 2023 and 2024, Clinical Duty Allowance areas, and 2023 25 per cent/35 per cent CONMESS arrears.
“The MDCAN NEC will reconvene on Sunday 24th November 24th, 2024 at 8.00 pm to reassess the situation and progress made to chart the next course of action.”
