Anambra University Medical Consultants Issue 21-Day Ultimatum to Soludo, Warn of Strike Action

Table of Contents

1. Ultimatum Issued
2. Threats of Action
3. Meeting Details
4. Grievances of the Consultants
5. Concerns and Implications
6. Call to Action

The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Anambra State government to address their demands or face industrial action.

They warned that if their demands are not met, they will cease the training of resident doctors, recall those who have been posted elsewhere, suspend all ongoing research, and discharge all patients currently in the hospital.

This 21-day ultimatum will commence on October 20 and end on November 21, allowing time for the Anambra governorship election.

The Chairman of the association, Dr. Amaechi Nwachukwu, and the Secretary, Prof. Joseph Umeobika, addressed the issue on Friday during a meeting at the hospital attended by their members.

The consultants stated that they have previously engaged with the government, made courtesy visits to the hospital management, and submitted petitions to address the issues, all without success. They indicated that their next course of action would be to cease work.

Some of their concerns, as outlined by the chairman during a briefing, include the government's need to place resident doctors on the appropriate salary scale, specifically the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) 2024, which they claim is the standard salary scale for all doctors across Nigeria.

Nwachukwu stated: “As of today, in October, our salaries are still being processed under the outdated scale, while the salaries of our trainees are being calculated using the correct scale.

“It is important to note that any payments made to resident doctors in the healthcare sector automatically apply to their supervisors, the Consultants, as they oversee all doctors working in the same teaching hospital.

“Despite our loyalty and diplomatic approach to these issues, we are disappointed to find that we were excluded from the correct salary placement after the September salaries were disbursed. We are confused as to how there can be two different salary structures for doctors working in the same institution.

“We will halt the training of resident doctors, recall all resident doctors on external postings, suspend all ongoing research, discharge all patients from the teaching hospital, and cease all demonstrations involving medical students and patients.

“This will not only postpone the graduation of medical students and resident doctors but will also disrupt the overall functioning of the teaching hospital.

“Many consultants have left the teaching hospital for better working conditions. We have lost key specialists to other institutions where they are more valued and compensated.

“Numerous professionals have left the country due to the ‘Jakpa’ syndrome, yet those of us who remain and maintain our commitment to the government are being treated as if we are unimportant.

“We recognize that this is a sensitive time, and any actions taken now may be viewed through a political lens. Nevertheless, we have been quietly urging the authorities to take necessary actions, but unfortunately, this has not resulted in any positive outcomes.

“We feel we have no choice but to take this path. We remain hopeful that this situation can be resolved, allowing our many patients and trainees to avoid undue hardship while we continue to fulfill the numerous responsibilities associated with our positions and expertise.

“Therefore, we urge all concerned citizens of Anambra to join us in persuading the government to prevent unnecessary loss of lives that could result from this unfortunate action,” the Consultants stated.