Posted on: Mon 08-02-2021

Greetings from the National Officers Committee and the entire membership of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD)

We have observed with utter dismay the misinformation and misleading interpretations being given to the Senate Committee on Health public hearing on the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (Repeal and re-enactment) Bill and other health-related bills by the Joint health sector Union (JOHESU)

Typically we would not respond to such infantile tantrums however, the records must be put straight otherwise their lies may be mistaken for the truth.

The body which has come out with discordant tunes about the MDCN bill clearly shows their ignorance and lack of understanding of the duties of the various professionals in the health sector.

Their sheer thoughtlessness is exhibited in some of them clamoring for the removal of Doctor as a cognomen for Medical and Dental practitioners and that it should only be for Ph.D. holders in the Health sector. Even more preposterous is the claim that the MDCN bill under consideration will hinder their practice.

The title "Doctor" has been the exclusive reserve of medical practitioners until some members of JOHESU went ahead to change their training programs to doctorate programs which are of no effect to us.

For the records, the term Doctors of medicine is an internationally established nomenclature for medical practitioners which put into perspective the volume of academic and clinical training medical practitioners undergoes.

The MDCN act under review by the National assembly is long overdue and it’s solely for improved medical and dental practice as well as regulation of both the practice and the professionals.

The review of this act is to make us Doctors keep abreast with current medical practices and advancements to reduce brain drain which has now been the trend among young Doctors. NARD has deemed it fit to properly inform the citizens by putting all issues in a proper viewpoint.

The MDCN regulates the training of Medical and Dental practitioners as well as the practice of medicine in Nigeria hence we wonder why the cries and blackmail attempts. We want to appeal to the public to disregard the falsehood and the aspersion being cast on the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health Distinguished Senator (Dr) Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe, and other members of the committee.

All stakeholders were allowed to make their contributions through written and oral presentations during the public hearing. We want to remind JOHESU that every profession in this health sector has its limits and encourage them to be proud of their responsibility by practicing it according to international best practices and not to interfere with the Practice of Medicine, which is solely for Medical and Dental Practitioners.

The threat of industrial action by JOHESU on account of this bill is both unreasonable and unpatriotic and it goes to show that their purpose is not to offer care to the citizens but for other reasons known to them alone. As medical and dental practitioners, we believe the MDCN (Repeal and Reenactment) bill is a laudable legislative action that every Nigerian should applaud; as it seeks to guarantee effective and efficient health care services to us.

Finally we wish to advice the leadership of JOHESU to join hands with the Senator Oloriegbe led committee on health to ensure improved health care delivery to Nigerians rather than seek for ways to sabotage the health sector.

Thank you and God bless you all

Signed:

Dr. Okhuaihesuyi Uyilawa

President

Dr. Jerry Isogun

Secretary General

 

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