From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Federal Government has applauded the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) for shelving its planned industrial action, describing the decision as patriotic.
A statement by the spokesperson, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Charles Akpan said the consultants have proved they are conscious of the onerous roles and extra burden they shoulder as senior doctors at a critical time resident doctors were on a strike the Federal Government has done everything to avert.
“These senior doctors have again shown maturity and commitment to the sacred responsibilities demanded of their calling and the Hippocratic oath. They have further demonstrated faith in the steps already taken by the Federal Government through the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige who directed the immediate reversal of their migration from CONUAS back to the CONMESS wage structure in obedience to the judgment of the National Industrial Court and in the spirit of the ongoing conciliation between them and their two employers – Minstries of Health, Education as well as the National Salaries Income and Wages Commission.
“Recall that the Honourable Minister had directed the Chairman of the National Salaries Income and Wages Commission to halt further action on migration of these consultants from CONMESS to CONUAS salary structure, with emphasis that “every court judgement no matter how bad, must be obeyed until upturned.”
“It is also instructive that the consultants, by their action, have expressed full confidence that the dispute will be successfully conciliated and their demands met amicably.
“The Federal Government will continue to be alive to its responsibilities to the consultants who double as teachers in the University Colleges of Medicine as well as do clinical work in the Teaching Hospitals, also guide the resident doctors in their professional training, just as it will not shirk its obligations to all medical doctors and health workers in the country.”