Strike: Medical Consultants Set To Join NMA

As the Nigerian Medical
Association (NMA) issued 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government penultimate Wednesday to meet its demands or face an indefinite strike from July 1, the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has threatened to join the strike action.
The medical consultants in a statement yesterday signed by its president Dr Steven Oluwole, and secretary, Dr Aderemi Adeosun, said government’s failure to withdraw the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) circular in favour of members of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) for the importation of medical equipment and the demand by JOHESU for its members to be appointed as medical director of government hospitals.
The MDCAN said it rejected what it described as being strange to medical professionalism saying that allowing members of JOHESU to be appointed as medical directors among others is inimical to the smooth running of the country’s health system.
The Association said it would be compelled to join NMA to withdraw its services if the Federal Government does not withdraw its concession to JOHESU after the 14-day ultimatum.
It said in the interest of patient care the Federal Government should stop playing politics with professional health issues and put on hold all circulars to please JOHESU.
It would be recalled that NMA in a letter jointly signed by its president, Dr Kayode Obembe, and secretary, Dr Adewumi Alayaki, respectively demanded for the appointment of four deputy chairmen, medical advisory committee for teaching hospital and three for Federal medical centres.
NMA said the deputy, chairmen would assist the chairman, medical advisory committee whose statutory responsibilities were too heavy for an individual to handle.
The NMA executives was opposed to the appointment of directors in hospitals, saying it distorts the chain of command, induces anarchy and exposes patients to conflicting treatment.
They said the position of a Chief Medical director must be occupied by a medical doctor as contained in the act establishing the tertiary hospitals, stressing that the little of consultant should be accorded medical doctors, who are specialists and not to be occupied by anybody who is not a qualified medical doctor.
They opined that if this happens, it will lead to chaos and anarchy in the health sector and advised the government to rescind such decision within 14-days or face industrial action from NMA from July 1.