Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), 2018 National Executive Council (NEC) Meeting Communique

The Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) National Executive Council meeting was held from the 29th April 2018 to 2nd of May, 2018 at the Trauma Centre Auditorium, National Hospital, Abuja and co-hosted by National Hospital Abuja (NHA) and Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Chapters of the Association. The theme of the meeting was “Combating Inter-sectorial Rivalry in the Health Sector” while the sub-theme was “Emerging Infectious Diseases: Assessing the Preparedness of the Nigerian State”.

The opening ceremony was chaired by Dr. J.A.F. Momoh, Chief Medical Director (CMD) of National Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria, who was also the Chief Host.

The Guest Lectures were delivered by Prof. Eugene E. Okpere, former CMD, University of Benin Teaching Hospital and Dr. Chike lhekweazu, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Centre for Disease Control. The NEC meeting which was attended by 149 delegates from 64 chapters of the Association across the length and breadth of the country deliberated on numerous issues germane to health care delivery in Nigeria and welfare of members.

During the meeting, the NEC observed as follows:

I. That the continued inter-professional rivalry in the country’s health sector resulting from unjustifiable and unrealistic clamour for pay parity with medical doctors was unhealthy and negatively affecting the quality of health care delivery to the citizens of Nigeria:

2. That as leaders of the Medical and health team, Consultants are concerned about the on-going strike action by health workers under aegis of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and its damaging effects on the healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

3. That the reported cases of violent attacks and physical assault of medical doctors and other health workers while carrying out their legitimate duties in some hospitals in the country was totally condemnable and unacceptable;

4. That the rather high burden of infectious diseases in the country especially the recent outbreaks of Lassa fever with resultant loss of lives including those of some medical doctors and other health workers was worrisome;

5. That the paucity of reliable country-wide database for health/disease conditions impacted negatively on health planning;

6. That the absence of universal health coverage for Nigerians was a significant impediment to sustainable improvement in the country’s health indices:

7. The gross underfunding of the health sector by the government, which is currently far below 15% of national budget stipulated in the Abuja Declaration of the African Union in 2001, was adversely affecting delivery of qualitative and affordable health services to Nigerians;

8. The non-release of funds for payment of contract staff in our tertiary hospitals for several months is worrisome;

9. Some state governments have not fully implemented the corrected CONMESS in remunerating Consultants and medical doctors in their employ;

10. Some state governments have not paid salaries of our members and other medical doctors and health workers for many months now; staff in the service of some of the affected state governments have been on half salary for over a year now. This situation is bound to negatively affect the commitment and productivity of these doctors and health workers as well as bring untold hardship to their families;

11. NEC was displeased with the management team of some Federal Tertiary Health Institutions on account of the improper placement of our members on the appropriate salary grade levels and irregular or non-payment of promotion arrears:

12. The threat of strike action by National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) is worrisome and can potentially further worsen the already current precarious healthcare delivery service in Nigeria;

13. The rising spate of insecurity such as the on-going insurgency, mass killings by armed bandits, kidnappings, armed robberies and attendant loss of lives and property across the country was of grave concern.

After extensive and in-depth deliberations, the NEC came to the following resolutions:

1. MDCAN strongly condemns the unjustifiable agitation for pay parity between doctors and other health workers in the country. While MDCAN is not opposed to upward review of remuneration of workers, the government is advised to take into account and adhere strictly to the existing relativity in wages of professional groups in the sector in line with international best practice.

2. Members of MDCAN will reject in its totality any action by the government that erodes this international best practice of relativity of wages in the health sector. This could lead to catastrophic consequences for health care delivery and medical education in the country.

3. MDCAN calls for the immediate and full implementation of the Yayale Ahmed Committee report on resolution of inter-professional disharmony in the health sector in Nigeria as the panacea to the recurrent crises that have bedeviled the sector in Nigeria and ensure improvement of the country’s health indices. The Federal Government of Nigeria must take a firm stand on this matter.

4. Members of MDCAN across the country are to continue to provide services within limits of professional safety.

5. MDCAN warns striking health workers to stay off the hospital premises and desist from engaging in any violent acts and physical molestation/attack on our members. medical doctors and indeed other health workers carrying out their legitimate duties. MDCAN will seek full redress using all legitimate channels should any acts be further reported.

6. The government and management team of our hospitals are enjoined to take appropriate measures to ensure security of our members, medical doctors and other health workers on duty.

7. MDCAN enjoins governments at all levels in the country to take steps, as a matter of urgency, to combat the rising incidence of infectious diseases in the country. Our Association is ready and willing to partner the government in this regard.

8. Medical and health workers are reminded to always apply universal precautions while carrying out their duties and the citizens are enjoined to comply with basic tenets of personal hygiene and appropriate immunization.

9. The Federal Ministry of Health was commended for constituting the National Health Research Committee with a view to encouraging country-wide research and data collection in various aspects of health. It is our belief that this will provide reliable country-wide health/disease database for planning and implementation of health policies.

10. The Federal Government is enjoined to increase budgetary allocation to the health sector in compliance with the Abuja Declaration of 2001, and to take further appropriate measures to ensure universal health coverage for Nigerians.

11. Relevant agencies of the government are urged to work towards full implementation of the National Health Act 2014 especially appropriation of recommended funds for health services in the country.

12. MDCAN strongly appeals to all State Governments yet to commence payment of the corrected CONMESS to our members and other doctors in their employment to do so as a matter of urgency, including payment of all accrued arrears.

13. Irregular payment and non-payment of full salaries and allowances to our members employed by some state governments was considered unacceptable and NEC demands that the affected states take immediate necessary steps to redress this and that the Federal Government should as a matter of urgency release funds for the payment of contract staff to avoid any untoward consequences.

14. MDCAN calls on the management team of each of the Federal Tertiary Health Institution to ensure correct placement of our members on the appropriate salary scale and grade level, and payment of all outstanding promotion arrears.

15. MDCAN urges the Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Health to take urgent steps to avert the impending NARD strike through constructive engagement. MDCAN, as trainers, will also mediate with a view to finding a permanent solution to the issues at stake.

16. MDCAN strongly condemns the rising spate insecurity of all ramifications in the country and commiserates with the families of the victims.

17. While commending the Federal Government for steps being taken to contain rising spate of insecurity, the government is encouraged to review actions so far taken and rc-strategize to ensure effectiveness and efficiency of the operations, thereby leading to better results. The earlier this unfortunate situation is contained the better for all sectors of the country’s economy.

MDCAN expresses her profound gratitude to The Honourable Minister of FCT, Mallam Mohammad Bello and the Chief Medical Director, National Hospital, Abuja, Dr. J. A. F. Momoh for their moral and material support towards the successful hosting of this NEC meeting, and the Guest Speakers, Prof. Eugene Okpere and Dr. Chike Ihekweazu for honouring the invitation to speak at the event.

Prof. Ngim E. Ngim

President

Dr. Affiong Ibanga

Secretary General