Why we’re embarking on nationwide strike – Medical Consultants

By Muhammed Yakubu On Nov 19, 2024

MDCAN, suspension, warning strike — MDCAN suspends nationwide 7-day warning strike

The Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has vowed to sustain its seven-day warning and if the demands are not attended to by the federal government after the expiration of the warning strike would take the next line of action.

SolaceBase reports that MDCAN President, Prof. Muhammad Aminu Muhammad announced this on Tuesday at a news conference, in Kano, a day after its nationwide strike that commenced on Monday.

Prof. Muhammad said the decision to embark on the warning strike was adopted at a virtual extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) Meeting of the association held on Monday, 11^th November 2024, after the expiration of a 21 days ultimatum issued to the Federal Government to address its demands without any response.

According to him, the NEC observe the reckless and utter disregard to due process by the Governing

Council Chairman of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, leading to the selection of a Vice Chancellor, despite the Federal Government’s clear and unequivocal directive stopping the process and nullifying any appointment made based on that process. The NEC noted with utter disbelief, that such appointees are still parading themselves as such.

‘’Failure of the Government to harmonise the Retirement Age of Medical Consultants to 70 years, to address the current shortfall of critical manpower for training, research and healthcare services in the country, ‘’Prof. Muhammad said.

‘’Failure of the Federal Government to universally implement the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for Clinical Lecturers in all Nigerian Universities, which aim to mitigate the current shortfalls in their Emolument, Entry Level, and Pension contribution of her members.

The association therefore demands that the Federal Government should immediately relieve the Chairman of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University of his appointment as council chairman, for his insubordination and to enforce the Ministry of Education’s directive nullifying any appointments subsequent to their directives.

The association president urged the Federal Government to develop an all-inclusive prototype of the advertisement for the Office of Vice Chancellor, noting that the advertisement for the Office of Vice Chancellor as recently issued by Ahmadu Bello University Zaria may serve as a prototype.

They demanded the harmonization of the retirement age of Medical Consultants to 70 years and the harmonisation of payment of emoluments of Medical Lecturers with the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), in order to ensure universal applicability of CONMESS to all Medical and Dental officers.

Similarly, the body requested payment of 2023 and 2024, Clinical Duty Allowance areas, and 2023 25%/35% CONMESS arrears.

He added that the association NEC will reconvene on Sunday 24th November 2024 to reassess the situation and progress made to chart the next course of action.