The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to terminate the reappointment of the Medical Director of Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Dr. Rahman Lawal since he has passed the mandatory civil service age of 60 years.

 

Speaking at the resolution of NMA, the Lagos State Chairman, Dr. Tope Ojo said the MD’s continued stay constitutes illegality, hence the association would resist his appointment to a logical conclusion.

 

Ojo, who called on Dr. Lawal to step down so as to make way for the appointment of a new Medical Director for the hospital, said the MD, whose tenure ended on August 28, was 60 years on January 3and, as such, should vacate the post as required by civil service rule, adding that the ongoing strike in the organisation would continue until the call was heeded.

 

According to him, “the current imbroglio of all health workers under the umbrella of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) and Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), is particularly made worse by the fact that similar contention as above preceded the exit of the former MD of the hospital, Dr. Harry Taiwo Ladapo some years ago for which Dr. Lawal led a revolt that led to his removal from office before he (Dr. Lawal) assumed the position,” he said.

 

 

Also lending her voice, the Chairman, MDCAN in the hospital, Dr. Grace Ijarogbe said MDCAN was the body responsible for producing MDs for the hospital. “But we are saying no to him because he has not performed well and he has brought us nothing but disgrace among the unions in the hospital”.

 

She continued: “He is responsible for the various crises in the hospital. We have been praying for him to vacate the post since he took the reign four years ago. When his tenure elapsed, we did not expect him to come back. He told us he would go to Abuja to solicit another four-year term but we will not allow that.”

 

“We have written to the Federal Ministry of Health but there was no response. We even carried the letters through currier but as at today nothing has been heard,” she said.

 

Meanwhile, the Lagos State branch of NMA has urged the Federal Government to urgently carry out necessary reforms in the health sector that should translate into benefiting Nigerians.

 

Stressing on one area needing reforms, Dr. Ojo tasked the government to take issues of National Health Insurance Scheme seriously, as it has not achieved its objectives. “It is regrettable that NHIS coverage is 10 per cent ever since the scheme started. But our neighbouring counterpart, Ghana has reached 60 per cent. We feel it is a criminal negligence which must be looked into,” he said.

 

He also commended President Buhari for vigorously coming out to fight corruption, as he believed that would in turn clean up the mess in the health sector.

 

By Martins Ifijeh

This Day