The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to address their demands or potentially face disruptions in the healthcare sector. This ultimatum was communicated through a communique released after an extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held virtually on August 7, 2023.
The communique, signed by MDCAN’s President, Dr. Victor Makanjuola, and Secretary-General, Dr. Yemi Raji, sets the deadline for these demands to be met by August 28, 2023. The council expressed deep concern over the lack of implementation of an agreed upward revision of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and the introduction of the Accoutrement allowance.
According to the communique, the council was dismayed by the non-inclusion of clinical lecturers in the benefits, stating, “This error has resulted in the complete exclusion of the clinical lecturers (Honorary Consultants) from benefitting from the upward review.”
MDCAN also voiced its discontent with the absence of universal implementation of CONMESS across various government agencies, specifically addressing medical and dental doctors. The council stressed the critical need to address brain drain’s impact on the healthcare sector. It pointed out the failure to resolve disputes with the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), which resulted in disruptions in healthcare access and the unfortunate kidnapping of doctors.
The demands laid out by MDCAN encompass several key areas. These include the immediate review of the revised CONMESS circular, correcting the error of commencement dates, and taking into account economic factors such as the fuel subsidy removal and inflation.
The council further urged for the resolution of the age retirement issue affecting consultants and other health workers, as well as the safe release of kidnapped individuals and the reinstatement of normal healthcare operations.
MDCAN emphasized the urgency of addressing these concerns within the stipulated 21-day period. The council underscored that failing to do so could lead to further disruptions in the healthcare sector and emphasized their commitment to maintaining industrial harmony.
