FG’s plan to cease funding MDCN ill-conceived — NMA

The Nigerian Medical Affiliation, on Monday, described the Federal Authorities’s plan to cease funding the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria by 2024 as ill-conceived and will result in catastrophe.

The PUNCH reviews that the authorities had, by means of a round from the Finances Workplace, dated June 26, 2023, introduced its determination to cease funding the Ministries, Departments & Companies and different notable skilled our bodies which embrace MDCN, efficient from January 1, 2024.

The Nationwide President of the affiliation, Uche Ojinmah, made this recognized in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital throughout a press convention as a part of actions marking 2023 NMA Doctor’s Week, tagged: “This Is Our Likelihood: To Get It Proper In The Well being Sector.”

Ojinmah, whose ready speech was learn by the state Chairman of NMA, Wale Lasisi, stated, “The plan to cease funding of MDCN from subsequent 12 months to us is ill-conceived and might solely result in catastrophe. The job of MDCN which is regulation of medical and dental follow is so vital that funding by the federal government is acceptable.

“If we cease funding the MDCN, I ponder who we wish to do it? In all probability, the docs and dentists will take over funding a physique that regulates and should punish them if crucial. Allow us to do not forget that he that pays the piper could dictate the tune.”

He, subsequently, referred to as on the federal government to proceed to fund MDCN within the curiosity of the well being and well-being of the citizenry.

The president, who had earlier sounded a observe of warning to one and all to by no means attempt to run Nigerian docs down in any method, additional urged them to all the time observe due course of if aggrieved or in discharging their tasks.

“If anybody has any case towards a physician practising in Nigeria, it ought to channel such to the Registrar of MDCN for acceptable response being the physique statutorily saddled with such duty.

“The NMA hereby expresses her displeasure on the current media trial of some healthcare employees by the Minister of Ladies Affairs. We imagine that such behaviour is infra dig for one which occupies such a lofty workplace. The NMA is watching carefully all processes and proceedings because it considerations the case within the FCT and shall reply appropriately.

“We additionally use this chance to specific our condolences to the family of the deceased and name on our safety businesses to do their job by fishing out the culprits chargeable for her loss of life,” he acknowledged.

The affiliation, nevertheless, used the event to name on the Oyo State Authorities to right away begin the cost of the lately reviewed Consolidated Medical Wage Construction and Consolidated Well being Wage Construction with their arrears and likewise the accoutrement allówance for medical docs and dentists.

It additionally appealed to the state authorities to approve and instantly implement the upward evaluation of hazard allowances for state docs and different healthcare employees as already relevant in most states in the area.