The National Executive Council (NEC) of Medical and Dental Consultants of Nigeria (MDCAN) has observed with grave concerns the persistent increase in transportation costs which has further reduce the already low access to healthcare by Nigerians and threatening the health agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
This was contained in a communique issued in Jos the Plateau State Capital at the end of MDCAN NEC meeting held in Katsina, Katsina state.
The theme and subtheme of the meeting is “Enhancing National Health Security: The Critical Role of Medical and Dental Consultants in Promoting Equity and Innovation in Nigeria’s Economically Challenging Landscape and Global Perspectives on Postgraduate Medical Career Development: An Insight on Managing the PhD/ Fellowship Dichotomy in Nigeria respectively.
The communique which was jointly signed by the President Prof. Mohammad Aminu and Secretary General Prof. Daiyabu Alhaji respectively lamented that
the efforts of President Bola Tinubu to improve Healthcare sector is being hampered by the mass exodus of medical doctors, especially the trainers of the medical doctors and other healthcare workers, who are affected by poor remuneration.
MDCAN also decried the present economic hardship and unconducive working environment stressing that medical doctors in their droves are exiting the country.
“To curtail the mass exodus of these healthcare professionals, the Federal should as a matter of urgency offer special allowances to enhance the welfare of the remaining workers with a view to motivate and retain them. This also implies to our members who work in State owned establishments. They must be treated with the dignity and rewarded equally for services rendered”.
The Medical and Dental Consultants also noted with grave concern the increasing inflation rates which affects access to healthcare by causing increase in cost of services as well as drugs calling on Government to critically look into the possibility of reducing the pump prices of petroleum products, as a way to boost the economic power of the citizenry.
NEC further reiterated the position of Fellowship of Medical Postgraduate Colleges as the highest professional and academic qualification required for the training of doctors at undergraduate and postgraduate levels as well as for the carrier progression.
The communique further stated that there is need for the Federal Government to speedily do all that is required on the increment in retirement age for Medical and Dental Consultants to 70 years and other healthcare workers to 65 years both at the Federal and State levels effective from the date of pronouncement .
The communique also commended the efforts of the Coordinating Minister of health and Social Welfare Prof. Muhammed Pate, and Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako for their roles leading to presidential approval for the increase in the retirement age for doctors and other healthcare workers in the country.