The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria has expressed worry over the Federal Government’s delay in implementing the approved 50 per cent reduction in the energy bill of federal health and educational institutions as earlier announced by the government.
The PUNCH reports that it also frowned at the slow progress in implementing the decisions and resolutions reached recently between the association and the government regarding its demands.
In August 2024, the government announced that it would subsidise electricity in universities and health institutions under Band A feeders, but according to the association, the promise is yet to be implemented.
A communique issued on Thursday at the end of the MDCAN’s National Executive Council meeting which was held in Ilorin stated that the NEC observed the negative impact of the shortage in medical manpower, cutting across all levels and cadres of healthcare professionals, with various healthcare workers failing to take up positions advertised in hospitals, resulting in some units regrettably closing down within the backdrop of massive brain drain in the health and medical education sectors.
It said this has impacted negatively on the quality of healthcare services offered to the citizenry and the overburdening of the existing workforce available in medical schools, and hospitals, which has also negatively impacted the well-being of the healthcare workers, who often suffer from burnout.
It noted, “Nigeria has only one doctor for every 2,500 individuals, a far cry from the WHO recommendation of one doctor for every 600 individuals. With the prevailing “Japa” syndrome, the present situation is regrettably worse, especially for specialist services that MDCAN members provide.
“The NEC frowns at the slow progress of implementation of all the decisions and resolutions reached recently between MDCAN and the Federal Government on her demands, which dispute was apprehended and mediated by the Hon. Minister of Labour, to resolve the industrial dispute in November 2024. The timeline set for the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding has since expired, viz, 15th December 2024.
“The NEC expresses worry over the Federal Government’s delay in implementing the approved 50 per cent reduction in the energy bill of federal health and educational institutions as earlier announced by the government. The delay constitutes an impediment to optimal and quality healthcare delivery to Nigerians.”
It also said the state governments are yet to embrace our calls for reducing energy bills at the various state-owned hospitals, to allow for effective and improved healthcare delivery across our state hospitals.
The NEC urged the government to urgently intensify efforts to resolve the economic, and security challenges facing the country, to ensure sustained progress and development.
“The Federal Government should, as a matter of urgency, put all necessary processes in motion to motivate the Healthcare Workers to stay in the country, thereby curtailing the mass exodus to other countries. For instance, providing compensation schemes for occupational infections, social security, and occupational insurance at the workplace.”
