MDCAN Calls On Federal Government To Issue Circular On Retirement Age For Doctors And Health Workers

MDCAN Calls On Federal Government To Issue Circular On Retirement Age For Doctors And Health Workers

Published on May 15, 2024 By Noah Abdulsalam

The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has expressed frustration over the federal and state governments’ failure to issue a circular increasing the retirement age for hospital consultants to 70 years for doctors and 65 years for other healthcare workers…..read also NMA Issues FG 21-Day Ultimatum To Resolve Industrial Disputes With NARD, Others

MDCAN also criticized the ongoing issue of salary shortfalls for clinical lecturers (honorary consultants), highlighting the non-payment of their salaries under the CONMESS structure, which is the consolidated salary scheme for medical and dental doctors in Nigeria’s public service.

This sentiment was shared in a communique released at the conclusion of MDCAN’s National Executive Council meeting, themed “Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and its Significance in Achieving Universal Health Coverage.” The document, signed by MDCAN President Prof. Mohammed Aminu Mohammed and Secretary General Dr. Daiyabu Alhaji Ibrahim, warned that failure to address these issues would hinder the sustainable development of the healthcare workforce and exacerbate brain drain due to inadequate remuneration across many state health institutions.

MDCAN urged the government and critical healthcare stakeholders to develop strategic plans ensuring financial, geographical, and functional access to quality healthcare for all Nigerians. They stressed the importance of following the steps outlined in the Nigerian Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) and involving MDCAN and other key stakeholders in the process.

The communique also called for the urgent resolution of the long-standing demand for the universal application of CONMESS to all qualified medical and dental university lecturers in colleges of medicine and health sciences nationwide.

MDCAN emphasized that the increase in the number of admitted medical students should be matched by significant improvements in human resources and infrastructure, such as classrooms and laboratories, to maintain training standards. They asserted that the association should play a key role in decisions impacting the training of medical students and doctors.

The consultants highlighted the current administration’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’, which prioritizes healthcare as a fundamental development pillar. They called for strengthened primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare services and an adequately skilled and motivated workforce.

Additionally, MDCAN condemned the recent federal policy prohibiting leave of absence for healthcare workers as discriminatory and a violation of their constitutional rights. The communique concluded by urging the government to respond positively to the association’s demands, acknowledging the longstanding commitment of MDCAN members to providing healthcare services despite numerous unmet requests.