NAU Medical School Suffers Another Shutdown As MDCAN Commences 7-Day Strike
Lecturers and Consultants at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) Medical School and Teaching Hospital, Nnewi have withdrawn their services effective Monday ,Nov. 18, for the second time in two months.
The shutdown of the institution is in compliance with the 7-day warning strike embarked upon by the national body of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN).
MDCAN in a notice of strike signed by Prof. Mohammed Aminu Mohammed and Prof. Diyabu Ibrahim its national President and Secretary General respectively on Monday said the industrial action was to protest alleged irregularities in the appointment of NAU VC.
“NEC observed the reckless and utter disregards to due process by the Governing Council Chairman of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, leading to the selection of a Vice Chancellor despite government’s clear and unequivocal directive halting
the process,” it said.
Confirming the compliance of NAUTH-MDCAN to national directive, Dr Victor Modekwe, the Branch Chairman said they could not do otherwise.
Modekwe at this moment, academic and clinical services at the Teaching Hospital involving the senior medical experts have been shut down.
He said the demands which included dissolution NAU Governing Council for failure to follow due process in the appointment of NAU VC and an increase in retirement age of Medical Consultant to 70,
He said there were also universal implementation of CONMESS for lecturers in Nigerian higher institutions as we all Payment of 2023/ 2024 Clinical Duty Allowance arrears, and 25-35 percent CONMESS arrears of 2023.
“I think the nationwide strike embarked upon by MDCAN is clear and simple, the body is protesting the exclusion of members from contesting for the post of NAU VC.
“MDCAN is demanding the dissolution of the Amb. Greg Mbadinwe led Governing Council for appointing a VC against Federal Government directive and for saying that medical fellowship is not equivalent to PhD, a criterion for University VCship.
“We are demanding an increment of the retirement age of medical consultants to 70 to address the depleting manpower caused by ‘JAPA syndrome’ in the healthcare sector.
“Lastly, MDCAN is calling for the universal application of CONMESS for doctors across all sectors where medical doctors are emplo
yed,” he said.
