The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has issued a stern warning to the Federal Government, urging them to address their demands within a 21-day period or face potential disruptions in the healthcare sector due to industrial disagreements.
This ultimatum was officially communicated through a communique released after an extraordinary National Executive Council meeting of the MDCAN, which was conducted virtually. Dr. Victor Makanjuola, the President, and Dr. Yemi Raji, the Secretary-General, endorsed the communique.
One of the primary points of concern raised in the communique pertains to the non-implementation of the jointly agreed upon review of CONMESS (Consolidated Medical Salary Structure) and the introduction of Accoutrement allowance, an allowance related to medical equipment and supplies, in collaboration with the Nigerian Medical Association. The released circular, however, only accounted for an increase in the basic salary percentage, neglecting to apply it to both basic salaries and various allowances except hazard allowance.
The communique emphasised, “This oversight has led to the exclusion of clinical lecturers (Honorary Consultants) from benefiting from the reviewed upward scale. The intended commencement date for this new circular was January 1, 2023, rather than June 1, 2023.”
The MDCAN further pointed out that the recent CONMESS revision failed to consider the effects of fuel subsidy removal and the significant inflation experienced over the past three months.
Despite engaging in negotiations with the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission for over two years regarding remuneration shortfalls for Clinical Lecturers (Honorary Consultants), the MDCAN noted that the issue remains unresolved by the Federal Government.
The Council also highlighted the inconsistent application of CONMESS across medical and dental doctors, regardless of their affiliations with various government agencies. Additionally, the MDCAN criticized the government’s inadequate response to the effects of brain drain in the healthcare sector, demonstrated by the refusal of the National Council on Establishment to approve the Federal Ministry of Health’s proposal for raising the retirement age for Medical and Dental Consultants and other healthcare workers.
The MDCAN consultants have specific demands, including the immediate revision of the CONMESS circular to reflect the agreed percentage increase on both the Basic Salary and other allowances, apart from the hazard allowance. This revision is anticipated to extend the benefits to clinical lecturers.
Other demands encompass corrections in the implementation commencement date for the CONMESS revision, considering the impacts of fuel subsidy removal and current high inflation. The MDCAN also seeks the swift implementation of agreed-upon strategies to rectify remuneration shortfalls for Clinical Lecturers (Honorary Consultants). They appeal for the universal application of CONMESS to all medical and dental doctors, particularly those in public universities.
Addressing brain drain’s impact on the healthcare sector, the MDCAN urges the immediate implementation of an upward review in the retirement age to 70 years for Consultants and 65 years for other healthcare workers. This measure is aimed at mitigating the ongoing brain drain.
The Council calls upon the government to resolve disputes with the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) urgently, to restore normal operations in government hospitals for optimal healthcare delivery. Additionally, the MDCAN urges government entities and security agencies to prioritize the safety of medical professionals and Nigerians in general, while also ensuring the prompt and safe release of those held captive by kidnappers.
The National Executive Council of the MDCAN expresses hope for a satisfactory resolution of these issues within the next 21 days. If these concerns are not adequately addressed, the Council warns that the existing industrial harmony in government hospitals and medical schools may be disrupted.
