The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria has expressed worry over the Federal Government’s delay in implementing the approved 50 per cent reduction in the energy bill of federal health and educational institutions as earlier announced by the government.
It also frowned at the slow progress in implementing the decisions and resolutions reached recently between the association and the government regarding its demands.
In August 2024, the government announced that it would subsidise electricity in universities and health institutions under Band A feeders, but according to the association, the promise is yet to be implemented.
A communique issued on Thursday at the end of the MDCAN’s National Executive Council meeting which was held in Ilorin stated that the NEC observed the negative impact of the shortage in medical manpower, cutting across all levels and cadres of healthcare professionals, with various healthcare workers failing to take up positions advertised in hospitals, resulting in some units regrettably closing down within the backdrop of massive brain drain in the health and medical education sectors.
It said this has impacted negatively on the quality of healthcare services offered to the citizenry and the overburdening of the existing workforce available in medical schools, and hospitals, which has also negatively impacted the well-being of the healthcare workers, who often suffer from burnout.
It noted, “Nigeria has only one doctor for every 2,500 individuals, a far cry from the WHO recommendation of one doctor for every 600 individuals. With the prevailing “Japa” syndrome, the present situation is regrettably worse, especially for specialist services that MDCAN members provide.
“The NEC frowns at the slow progress of implementation of all the decisions and resolutions reached recently between MDCAN and the Federal Government on her demands, which dispute was apprehended and mediated by the Hon. Minister of Labour, to resolve the industrial dispute in November 2024. The timeline set for the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding has since expired, viz, 15th December 2024.
“The NEC expresses worry over the Federal Government’s delay in implementing the approved 50 per cent reduction in the energy bill of federal health and educational institutions as earlier announced by the government. The delay constitutes an impediment to optimal and quality healthcare delivery to Nigerians.”
It also said the state governments are yet to embrace our calls for reducing energy bills at the various state-owned hospitals, to allow for effective and improved healthcare delivery across our state hospitals.
The NEC urged the government to urgently intensify efforts to resolve the economic, and security challenges facing the country, to ensure sustained progress and development.
“The Federal Government should, as a matter of urgency, put all necessary processes in motion to motivate the Healthcare Workers to stay in the country, thereby curtailing the mass exodus to other countries. For instance, providing compensation schemes for occupational infections, social security, and occupational insurance at the workplace.
“The Federal Government should urgently implement the signed Resolutions (MOU) of 22nd November 2024, addressing the long-standing demand of Universal Applicability for CONMESS for all Medical and Dental Doctors across different Government establishments.
“The NEC urges the Federal Government to implement the approved 50 per cent reduction in energy bills for Health and Educational Institutions as a matter of urgency, to guarantee continuous service delivery and training,” it said.
It appealed to the state governments to approve and implement a 50 per cent subsidised energy rate across state public health and educational institutions, as approved by the Federal Government, as this will guarantee an improved energy supply and consequently improve service delivery in these sectors.
The NEC also encouraged the state governments to provide sustainable renewable energy options to the institutions in the long run.
“The NEC demands the immediate release of a circular for the increase in the retirement age to 70 years for hospital Consultants and 65 years for other healthcare workers as resolved in the resolutions reached with the Federal Government. Furthermore, the state governments are also enjoined to adopt these resolutions wholly, to further close the gaps in the health workforce deficit across the states.
“We call on the Vice Chancellors, particularly those of the South Western Zone especially, the University of Ibadan, the University of Lagos, the Obafemi Awolowo University, and the University of Ilorin to implement the payment of Clinical Lecturers with Consolidated Medical Salary Structure as being done across other regions in Nigeria, without further delay. We appeal to the Federal Government to urgently stop and reverse the proliferation of non-non-medical consultants across our hospitals. This is to forestall patient safety to ensure proper management of patients and avoid unnecessary controversies in patient management.
“The NEC rejects the continuous discrimination by some Nigerian universities, against Medical Fellowship Holders, preventing them from reaching the peak of their career based on not possessing a PhD degree. The NEC reiterates that the Medical and Dental Fellowships suffice both as academic and professional qualification in medical training and career advancement,” it highlighted.
The NEC urged the government to continue addressing the safety concerns of medical doctors and healthcare workers while acknowledging the efforts of the Nigerian Military, Police, and other Security agencies in improving the country’s security.
“There is a need to urgently convey health sector critical stakeholders’ meetings to discuss, and formulate comprehensive and holistic pathways to address the myriads of challenges affecting the healthcare sector and militating against optimal healthcare delivery in the
country. The MDCAN will be available to contribute innovative ideas towards finding lasting solutions to the challenges facing healthcare delivery in our country.
“The Government should as a matter of urgency, develop protocol and measures of preventing Nigerians from getting near fuel tanker accident, improve road infrastructures, poverty reduction and orientation of the citizenry,” it added.
