Medical Consultants Suspend Strike, to Review FG’s Response by Mid-December

The Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has suspended its seven-day warning strike, which began last Monday. The association’s National President, Prof Muhammad Muhammad, disclosed this on Sunday.
According to Muhammad, the decision to suspend the strike was made after the Federal Government made efforts to meet the association’s demands. “Our number one demand has been sorted, which is the UNIZIK issue,” Muhammad said.
The Minister of Labour and Employment had invited the association to discuss its demands and had a meeting with them, as well as with the Ministries of Education and Health. “We have agreed on all the issues, what should be done and with a timeline, and we will continue to push for the actualisation of the demands,” Muhammad stated.
The association had demanded that the Federal Government relieve the Chairman of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra State, of his appointment as council chairman, for his insubordination. They also demanded that the Ministry of Education’s directive nullifying any appointments subsequent to their directives be enforced.
Additionally, the association demanded that the Federal Government develop an all-inclusive prototype of advertisement for the Office of Vice-Chancellor. They also called for the harmonization of the retirement age of Medical Consultants to 70 years.
The association further demanded the harmonization of payment of emoluments of CONMESS to ensure universal applicability of CONMESS to all Medical and Dental officers. They also demanded the payment of 2023 and 2024 Clinical Duty Allowance arrears, and 2023 25 per cent/35 per cent CONMESS arrears.
Last Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu dissolved the Governing Council of UNIZIK, and removed Prof Bernard Odoh as its Vice Chancellor, and Mrs Rosemary Nwokike as its Registrar. Tinubu reiterated that the primary responsibility of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of university activities in accordance with the act establishing each university.
Tinubu warned the councils not to create distractions in their universities as his government was focused on improving the country’s education standards. The MDCAN has agreed to honour the document signed at the conciliation meeting with the Federal Government and will continue to monitor events as they unfold.
The National Executive Council of the association will meet mid-December to review the progress made on their pending issues. “We will continue to push for the actualisation of the demands,” Muhammad said.
The suspension of the strike is a welcome development, as it will enable medical consultants to return to work and provide essential services to patients. The outcome of the mid-December meeting will be crucial in determining the next steps for the association.