The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) yesterday described the plan by the federal government to stop funding the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) from next year as ill-conceived, warning that it could only lead to disaster.
The national president of the association, Uche Ojinmah, gave the warning during a press conference in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, held as part of activities marking the 2023 NMA Physicians’ Week in the state tagged ‘This Is Our Chance To Get It Right’.
Recall that the federal government had through a June 26 circular from the Budget Office announced its decision to stop funding some organisations including the MDCN effective from January 1, 2024.
Ojinmah, whose address was delivered by the Oyo State chairman of the NMA, Dr Adewale Lasisi, said the job of the MCDN which regulates the medical and dental practice is so important that the federal government could not but fund it.
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“If we stop funding the MDCN, I wonder who we want to do it? Probably the doctors and dentists will take over funding a body that regulates and may punish them if necessary.
“Let us remember that he that pays the piper dictates the tune. We call on our dear government to continue to fund MDCN in the interest of the health and well-being of our citizenry.
The association had earlier used the occasion to call on government to immediately commence the payment of the recently reviewed Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) with their arrears and also the accoutrement allowance for medical doctors and dentists.
It also appealed to the Oyo State government to approve and immediately implement the upward review of hazard allowances for state doctors and other healthcare workers in the state as already applicable in most states in the region.
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