The Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has raised alarmed over some State Governments owing members several months of salaries and other emoluments especially Abia and Ondo state government.
The President MDCAN, Dr. Victor Makanjuola who read the communique at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Organization held at the UPTH Port Harcourt on the 24th of May, 2022.
“We resolved that State Governments owing our members several months of salaries and other emoluments are enjoined to pay the arrears of what is owed to the medical and dental consultants working in their hospitals and continue payment of their monthly emoluments as at when due, with particular reference to Abia for over two years and Ondo State Hospital Management Board for 4 months.
Dr Makanjuola stated that there is need to increase retirement age for health workers in order to put all processes in motion to stop the mass exodus of the Nigerian Doctors to other countries, noting that there is need to also speedily address the issue of the shortfall in remunerations of members especially that of the Clinical Lecturers, such will curb brain drain by Doctors.
“NEC also resolved to Call on the Government to put all processes in motion to stop the mass exodus of the Nigerian Doctors to other countries. Furthermore, members are advised to explore areas of international collaborations and entrepreneurship as a way of self improvement and improved quality of life.”
He also urge the Government to speedily address the issue of the shortfall in remunerations of their members without further delay, especially that of the Clinical Lecturers. In addition, he called on the Federal Ministry of Health, National Council on Establishments and other relevant agencies of government should expedite action on the implementation of the upward review of retirement age for Health workers.
“Further delay might result in irreversible damage to the nation’s health security from brain drain of experienced and highly skilled health workforce”, he added.
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MDCAN President called on government at all levels to increase funding for poop healthcare delivery, especially the secondary healthcare level and encouraged government to prioritize allocation of resources to the health sector for infrastructure and human capacity development.
“Government at all levels are enjoined to increase funding for healthcare delivery, especially the secondary healthcare level. Government at all levels are encouraged to prioritize allocation of resources to the health sector for infrastructure and human capacity development”.
The communique also resolved and urged government to implement the hazard allowance for workers in the hospitals without further delay and intensify efforts at resolving the lingering security challenges in the country to safeguard the lives and properties of Nigerians.
“MDCAN NEC unanimously resolved to demand immediate implementation of the hazard allowance for workers in the hospitals without further delay. That Government should intensify efforts at resolving the lingering security challenges in the country to safeguard the lives and properties of Nigerian.”
MDCAN called on Government to immediately resolve the issues of the ongoing Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)’s strike, to allow students to return to school immediately and appeal to government to put policy in place to ensure seamless access to third party research funds in various institution.
MDCAN President further commended the Rivers State governor, Chief Barrister Nyesom Wike and his deputy Dr Ipalibo Banigo-Harry for their support and contributions towards the success of the event, while appreciating Professor Abraham Owunari Georgewill, the Vice Chancellor of University of Port Harcourt, the Chief Host, Professor Henry A.A. Ugboma, the Chief Medical Director, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Dr. Friday Aaron, the Chief Medical Director, Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Kenneth E. Okagua, the Chief Medical Director, Rivers State HMB and Dr. Agiriye M. Harry, Permanent Secretary, Primary Healthcare Management Board, Rivers State, for their immense support towards the success of the NEC meeting.
Our correspondent reports that the NEC meeting tagged Port Harcourt 2022, has the theme: ‘Building Responsive Healthcare Systems In Nigeria’s Tertiary Hospitals’, with sub themes; ‘Improving Nigeria Healthcare Infrastructure through International Collaborations’ and “The Medical and Dental Specialist as an Entrepreneur’.
