Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria has asked National Universities’ Commission (NUC) to withdraw what it called ‘obnoxious circular’ or it would withdraw services from medical education in universities across the country.
President of the association, Prof. Ken Ozoilo, addressing the press said that the group has given National Universities’ Commission 21-day ultimatum to withdraw the circular or they withdraw their services and appealed to stakeholders and government agencies to prevail on the NUC to ‘accede’ to their demand and avoid disruption in medical education.
He said the circular requires clinical lecturers to have a Ph.D. to teach in Nigerian universities when the primary requirement was Fellowship of Postgraduate Medical College which training he said would take minimum of six years from the completion of National Youth Service.
Prof. Ozoilo, speaking at the press conference, said: “NEC hereby issues a 21-day ultimatum within which the circular of the National Universities’ Commission issued early in December is to be withdrawn. Should the National Universities’ Commission fail to withdraw the circular within this period, we will have no choice but to withdraw our services from medical education in Nigerian universities”.
He said the group has asked federal government to improve healthcare system in the country by increasing funding for the health sector and look at the welfare and work conditions of healthcare staff.
Ozoilo said the group observed that healthcare professionals were leaving the country in their numbers, and expressed concern about this, adding the government should take steps to stop the trend.
He said the poor medical infrastructure, deplorable health condition and health indices, inadequate manpower and poor remuneration were all challenges having negative impact on healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
The group believes the outbreak of lassa fever in the country was ‘unfortunate’, he said, adding that it expressed concern over ‘ineffective’ response to the outbreak.
The group which expressed worry over insecurity in the country appealed to government to take necessary steps to fight problem of insecurity.
Guest lecturer and royal father, HRM, King (Dr) Samuel Amaechi, delivered a lecture at the conference on theme of the conference: “Revamping the Healthcare System In Nigeria: Re-echoing the Role of Stakeholders”.
Attended by 127 delegates, the conference which held in Port-Harcourt attracted presence of former governor of Rivers State, Sir Dr Peter Odili, and Prof. Nimi Briggs, guest of honour and Chairman.
