The National Executive Council, NEC of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria has given 21 days ultimatum to the Federal Government and the National Universities Commission, NUC to reverse its decisions on medical education policy or face the total withdrawal of services by its members.
This was part of the decision reached in Port Harcourt, South-South Nigeria after a week-long council meeting with the theme “Revamping the health care system in Nigeria: Re- echoing the Role of Stakeholders”.
Rising from the NEC meeting, the medical body bemoaned the challenges facing the country’s health care system.
National President of the Association says they are worried over government’s slow pace in tackling the frequent outbreaks of Lassa fever, medical tourism and brain drain among others.
Another worrisome issue for them is the recent circular by the NUC conveying a policy that intends to add more years to medical education in the country.
They therefore issued a 21 days ultimatum to the Commission to withdraw the circular or face a shutdown of medical students’ training across the country.
With the poor healthcare delivery system in the country, it is hoped that the authorities and the medical body would come to a round table to address identified problems.