The Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has called off its seven-day warning strike following an agreement with the federal government to address its concerns. MDCAN’s National President, Mohammad Mohammad, confirmed the suspension on Sunday, stating that both parties had reached an understanding on the issues, with timelines for implementation. He added that the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) will meet in mid-December to evaluate progress on the outstanding demands.
During the strike, consultants protested the exclusion of medical and dental lecturers from the selection process for the Vice-Chancellor position at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, and demanded the immediate removal of the university’s Governing Council Chairman. In response, President Bola Tinubu dissolved UNIZIK’s Governing Council, removed Bernard Odoh as Vice-Chancellor, and sacked Registrar Rosemary Nwokike. The president emphasized the need for university councils to operate in line with the law and avoid disruptions to educational activities.
While the strike disrupted elective medical services in some hospitals, emergency and critical care services remained operational. Hospitals in Abuja and Lagos implemented measures to minimize the impact of the industrial action. Despite the suspension, MDCAN has vowed to monitor the government’s compliance with the agreements reached during the conciliation meeting led by the Minister of Labour and Employment.
The consultants also highlighted broader concerns, including the need for harmonizing retirement ages for medical consultants to 70 years, addressing manpower shortages in healthcare, and implementing the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for clinical lecturers across all Nigerian universities. These reforms, they argue, are critical to improving healthcare delivery and academic training standards.
MDCAN, comprising specialists in medicine and dentistry, plays a vital role in Nigeria’s healthcare system. Its members are involved in training doctors, providing specialist care, and conducting medical research in government and private facilities. The association remains committed to advancing its objectives while ensuring minimal disruption to healthcare services.
