By ABUJAH RACHEAL

The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) on Sunday decried that over 100 consultants left 17 Nigerian health institutions for developed countries.

MDCAN said the mass exodus has caused significant disruptions to the Nigerian healthcare ecosystem.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja, the National President of the association, Dr Victor Makanjuola, who read the communique from the end of the National executive council of the association which was held at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, noted that the Federal Government had failed to address the implementation of the upward review of retirement age of health workers which has further heightened irreversible damage to the nation’s health security.

Makanjuola also noted that the decision of the Federal Government to release a circular on the new hazard allowance was not in line with the earlier agreement reached during the negotiation with the association.

He said, “Many recent policies of government appear to target medical professionals and their practice in Nigeria, which adversely impact on quality of healthcare delivery in the country. The recently released circular on review of hazard allowance by the Federal Government is grossly inadequate to address the multiple risks faced by an average health worker in Nigeria and further complicates the near complete erosion of relativity in remuneration that has existed among different health workers.

“Despite the announcement of government’s approval of an upward review of retirement age for health workers, there have been administrative impediments to its implementation. The mass exodus of medical and dental consultants to more developed countries has brought significant disruptions to Nigeria’s health Care ecosystem. Over 100 consultants had left the services of 17 tertiary health institutions in the last 24 months”.

He, however added that the National Executive Council has resolved that “There is need for immediate review of the recently released circular on hazard allowance by the Federal Government, which was not in line with the earlier agreement reached during negotiation with our association.

“The Federal ministry of health, National council on establishments and other relevant agencies should expedite action on the implementation of the upward review of retirement age for health workers to prevent further delay in irreversible damage to the nation’s health security from brain drain of experienced and high skilled health workforce.

“Government should, as a matter of urgency, put policies in place to stop the mass exodus of highly-skilled medical and dental consultants to developed countries. (NAN)

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