Posted on: Tue 31-01-2023

The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has observed that increasing threats to life and property, inadequate infrastructure, dearth of human resources and poor funding are responsible for the ongoing massive brain drain in the health sector, and called on government at all levels to intensify efforts at resolving the challenge to provide safe and conducive environment, which could put the country on the path of progress.

The association, however, called for retention of willing and productive consultants after their age of retirement as a way of cushioning effects of brain drain in the sector.

MDCAN, in a communiqué at the end of their four days National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, held in Enugu, condemned failure of government agencies to implement the payment of approved hazard allowance, outstanding allowance occasioned by skipping, extend the retirement age of health workers, as well as failure to correct the shortfall in salaries of honorary consultants, who are clinical lecturers in universities.

The communiqué, jointly signed by the National President of the medical body, Dr. Victor Makanjuola, and Secretary General, Dr. Yemi Raji, also decried persistent and deteriorating shortage in medical manpower at all levels and cadres of health professionals, attributing it to failure to fill advertised vacancies in most tertiary hospitals.

MDCAN said: “This shortage has created pressure in the health sector, thereby compounding the existing challenge. This has impacted negatively on the quality of healthcare services offered to citizens. In addition, the wellbeing of few remaining healthcare workers is equally not spared as many often suffer from burnout.”

The consultants, who lamented interest by government in generating more revenue through tax laws, encouraged Nigerians to familiarise themselves with tax laws and seek reliefs where applicable, as it would go a long way to ease the prevailing economic hardship.

They asked government agencies to check necessary delays responsible for appointment of chief medical directors and medical directors in hospitals, while appealing to health institutions to comply with extant laws and pay full remuneration to staff, who have gone on approved sabbatical leaves.

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