Posted on: Wed 11-03-2026

Observations by the President, Guild of Medical Directors, Nigeria

The Guild of Medical Directors (GMD) wishes to express deep concern regarding the recent suspension of certain medical practitioners by the Medical and Dental Practitioners Investigation Panel under the regulatory purview of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN). The Guild recognises and respects the Panel and the Council's statutory responsibility to regulate medical practice and uphold professional standards.

However, in exercising the responsibility, it is important that disciplinary processes are implemented with careful consideration of their wider implications for healthcare delivery in Nigeria, particularly at a time when the country faces significant pressure on its healthcare workforce.

 

Impact on Healthcare Delivery

Nigeria's private healthcare sector plays a critical role in providing medical services across the country. Many private medical facilities operate with limited numbers of specialists and experienced physicians who provide essential care. When a practitioner is suspended, entire clinical units may become unable to function effectively. This can lead to disruption of services, delay in treatment, and in some cases, the temporary closure of facilities that serve thousands of patients. Ultimately, these disruptions affect the public's access to timely healthcare.

 

Economic Implications for the Healthcare Systems

The suspension of medical practitioners also has broader consequences. With Nigeria already facing a shortage of qualified doctors relative to its population, the removal of practitioners from active service places additional pressure on healthcare providers. Hospitals are often forced to urgently recruit replacements, redistribute workloads or refer patients elsewhere. These adjustments inevitably increase operational cost, which may ultimately be transferred to patients who are already struggling with the rising cost of healthcare.

"When the healthcare workforce shrinks, the systems absorb the shock and patients often bear the cost"

 

A Workforce Already Under Strain

Nigeria is currently grappling with the migration of thousands of doctors to other countries in search of better working conditions and professional opportunities. In this context, actions that further reduce the number of practising physicians must be approached with caution. While regulatory oversight is essential, disciplinary measures must also consider the broader realities facing Nigeria's healthcare workforce.

 

The Importance of Collaboration

The Guild remains committed to working collaboratively with the Medical and Dental Council Nigeria and other stakeholders to strengthen ethical medical practice in Nigeria. Constructive engagement between regulars, healthcare providers, and professional bodies will be essential in ensuring that disciplinary actions protect patients while also safeguarding the sustainability of the nation's healthcare system.

 

The Human Cost

Medical practice is built on years of rigorous training, immense personal sacrifice, and an enduring commitment to saving lives. When a medical practitioner is suspended, the consequences extend far beyond professional discipline. Therefore, suspension should be considered after culpability has been established. The sudden interruption of a doctor's career without ascertaining guilt may result in profound  psychological distress, reputational damage, and social stigma. In many cases, these effects ripple  outward to affect families, professional colleagues, and patients who depend on that doctor's care. Disciplinary measures must therefore acknowledge the human dimension of medical practice.

"Doctors are not just professionals within a system; they are individuals whose lives and livelihoods are deeply tied to the work of caring for others."

 

Demand for a More Balanced Disciplinary Framework

The Guild of Medical Directors believes that disciplinary systems should prioritise fairness, transparency, proportionality, and opportunities for professional remediation. With specific reference to the recent case of EURACARE and ATLANTIS Hospitals, we note the Medical and Dental Practitioners Investigation Panel's Standing Order and Rules of Procedure, which call for confidentiality to be maintained and media trials began even before the doctors are informed of the panel's decisions.

 

A Shared Responsibility

The regulation of medical practices must always prioritise patient safety. At the same time, it must preserve the dignity, mental well-being, and professional future of doctors who dedicate their lives to caring for others. A balanced, fair, and humane approach to regulation will ultimately serve both the medical profession and the Nigerian public better.  

 

Signed,

Dr. Raymond Abiodun Kuti

President

Guild of Medical Directors

Nigeria

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