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Ikenna Ngere
Guest
The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to address long-standing issues, including discrimination against its members.
The association warned that if their demands remain unmet, they will be forced to halt services nationwide.
This warning was delivered in a statement following MDCAN’s extraordinary virtual NEC meeting, held in Jos, Plateau State.
The communiqué, signed by MDCAN President, Prof. Aminu Mohammad, and Secretary, Prof. Daiyabu Ibrahim, outlined the association’s frustrations, particularly with discriminatory practices that affect medical and dental lecturers.
MDCAN members have been urged to take lawful actions against instances of bias, particularly in the selection process for Vice Chancellors in universities.
The statement highlighted how many advertisements for these positions exclude Medical and Dental Fellowship holders by insisting on a PhD qualification, which the association views as unfair and unconstitutional.
The statement partly read: “NEC resolves that any unlawful and discriminatory posture toward holders of Medical and Dental Fellowship qualifications will no longer be tolerated.
“All members where such discriminatory advertisements are released have been directed to take necessary lawful means to restore their rights as provided for in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
MDCAN expressed discontent with the ongoing practice of universities requiring a PhD for the office of Vice Chancellor, disregarding the Medical and Dental Fellowship as a valid academic and professional qualification.
According to MDCAN, these fellowships are specialized and should be recognized as equivalent to a PhD for such roles.
Another key issue raised by the association is the failure of the government to harmonize the retirement age of medical consultants to 70 years.
MDCAN emphasized that consultants play crucial roles in both academic and professional capacities, serving as trainers for undergraduate and postgraduate medical students and providing specialist services in tertiary healthcare institutions across Nigeria.
The association also urged the federal government to expedite the harmonization of the payment structure for Clinical Medical Lecturers.
MDCAN stressed that discrepancies in their emoluments, pension, and entry-level pay compared to the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) must be addressed.
In their statement, MDCAN commended the actions taken by members to challenge discriminatory policies and reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that medical lecturers are not sidelined from top administrative roles in universities.
The association vowed to take further action if these issues are not resolved within the given timeframe, putting additional pressure on stakeholders to address the concerns of Nigeria’s medical and dental specialists.
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