MDCN warns FG against using drastic action to end Doctors’ strike

By Ayorinde Oluokun

The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) on Monday warned the federal government against taking any form of drastic action to end the ongoing national strike by members of the Nigeria Medical Association.

Doctors in government Hospitals across Nigeria under the aegis of NMA have been on nationwide strike for the past one month over irreconcilable differences and alleged breach of trade union agreement.

Series of talks between government representatives and officials of federal government have so far failed to result in concrete agreement that will lead to a call of the strike.

But MDCAN said on Monday that it has information that government is considering a series of actions to break the strike.

The series of actions, which according to Dr. Steven Oluwole, President MDCAN, in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja would have negative effect on the already fragile health sector will begin with banning of NMA by government.

He said, “The attention of the MDCAN has been drawn to the purported plan of the Federal Government to take drastic steps to end the current NMA strike. Unnamed government officials have leaked to us that the government is considering proscription of the NMA.

“In the event that the Federal Government tows this course of action, the military will be deployed to guard the medical institutions with military and para-military medical professionals rendering services in the mean time.

“All public health institutions will be privatised. Then the no work, no pay principle will be enforced, doctors who are interested will be protected to resume duties while new ones will be employed to take their place,

“Propositions of agents of government should deeply worry anyone fairly familiar with the organisation of multi-tier health services for a country.

Before the NMA declared the strike, the MDCAN implored government to look professionally, but not politically at all the issues. Unfortunately there is little evidence that such had been done.

“Are there no laws that establish the tertiary health institutions? Will privatisation of Teaching Hospitals fulfil the objectives for which they were established? Private hospitals are for profit rather than for training and research. Will they serve the primary functions as defined in the Acts that established the hospitals?

“Will the Ministry of Health find suitable replacement for all specialities in Teaching Hospitals, from unemployed doctors and retired doctors? Will the Ministry of Health reconstitute the entire health system even if it is intended that foreign doctors will be imported?

The assumption that MDCAN members, who are currently restrained by Court order, will capitulate is erroneous,” said Oluwole.

But the Minister of health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu said government is not contemplating proscribing the NMA.

The Minister who spoke through Dan Nwomeh his Special Assistant (Media and Communications) said government has done its best to resolve issues that led to the strike and is expected the NMA to reciprocate by calling off the strike in the interest of Nigerians.