NIGERIA — The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has decided to postpone its nationwide strike action for three months following an appeal from the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Services, Muhammad Ali Pate.
This decision was one of the key outcomes of MDCAN’s 13th Biennial Delegates meeting held in Kano from September 4 to 10, 2023.
The official communique, jointly signed by MDCAN President Prof. Muhammad Aminu Muhammad and Secretary General Dr. Daiyabu Alhaji Ibrahim, explained the extension of the ultimatum was made to give the government more time to address the pending issues.
The communique stated, “In view of the appeal by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Services, the Association resolves to extend the ultimatum by three months to allow the new Government to address all the pending issues.”
Previously, MDCAN had set a 21-day deadline for the Federal Government to meet its demands, failing which they would embark on industrial action.
Among the resolutions reached at the meeting, MDCAN called on the government to take concrete steps toward revitalizing and improving Nigeria’s healthcare system, making healthcare delivery more affordable and accessible to all citizens.
The association also stressed the urgent need to address the brain drain crisis by providing incentives to retain healthcare professionals within the country.
In addition to these demands, the association urged the government to motivate the existing healthcare workforce and enhance the quality of medical education at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Collaborative efforts among stakeholders were also encouraged to boost the production of medical and dental graduates in Nigeria.
Furthermore, MDCAN emphasized the importance of government intervention in saving medical education by providing essential infrastructure, adequate funding, and fair remuneration for staff.
The association pointed to successful models, such as kidney and spine surgeries at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) in Kano and the National Orthopedic Hospital Dala, as potential solutions for advancing medical care in Nigeria.
In a related development, MDCAN’s newly elected president, Prof. Muhammad Aminu Muhammad, expressed concerns about the ongoing brain drain in the healthcare sector.
He warned that the Japa syndrome, referring to the emigration of skilled professionals, could severely impact the country’s healthcare system if not promptly addressed.
Prof. Muhammad stressed that the quality of basic and postgraduate medical education is under threat, necessitating the urgent training of more medical doctors across Nigeria.
He highlighted the closure of various units in the country’s teaching hospitals due to the migration of highly skilled specialists.
The MDCAN president called on the government to incentivize medical professionals to remain in the country and advocated for improved infrastructure, increased funding, and fair compensation for healthcare workers.
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