The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has declared a nationwide strike, citing the Federal Government’s failure to address their longstanding demands.
Speaking with journalists in Owerri, the Chairman of MDCAN at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Dr. Samuel Emdin, conveyed the association’s stance while reading a statement jointly signed by MDCAN’s National President, Dr. Mohammad Aminu Mohammad, and National Secretary, Prof. Daiyabu Alhaji Ibrahim.
Dr. Emdin explained that the strike followed observations by the National Executive Council (NEC) of MDCAN during an extraordinary meeting. He noted that the Federal Government had shown “reckless and utter disregard for due process” in the controversy surrounding the appointment of a Vice-Chancellor at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
The association demanded immediate action, stating, “The Federal Government should relieve the Chairman of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University of his appointment for insubordination and enforce the Ministry of Education’s directive nullifying any appointments made contrary to its orders.”
MDCAN also called for the harmonization of the retirement age for medical consultants to 70 years and the uniform application of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for medical and dental lecturers. They stressed the need for the Federal Government to adopt an inclusive prototype for advertising Vice-Chancellor positions, citing the advertisement model used by Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, as a suitable example.
In addition, the association demanded the payment of 2023 and 2024 Clinical Duty Allowance arrears, as well as the settlement of 2023 CONMESS arrears at 25% and 35%.
Dr. Emdin emphasized the importance of these issues, remarking, “The NEC will reconvene on Sunday, November 24, 2024, at 8:00 pm to reassess the progress made and decide on the next course of action.”
