Medical lecturers oppose admission quota increase without more facilities, manpower

He added that the boards were responsible for policy direction, major approvals and other important decisions required for the effective administration of federal teaching hospitals.

According to him, the absence of the boards had meant that certain matters requiring approval were referred to the coordinating Minister of Health, creating delays because of the volume of responsibilities handled by the minister.

“We, therefore, call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to, as a matter of urgency, constitute the Board of Management of the Federal Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria to ensure their smooth running and timely delivery of their mandates,” he said.

The association also raised concerns about delays in salary payments to newly recruited consultants and doctors transferred from other hospitals to UCH through the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System.

Akande said some consultants had gone for several months without receiving their salaries because of administrative procedures involving the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Accountant-General’s Office.

He said prolonged salary delays had created financial difficulties for affected doctors and their families and could negatively affect their motivation and commitment.

“Imagine a senior medical practitioner leaving one job for another, only to go months without salary. Such experiences discourage productivity and commitment to work,” he said.

MDCAN consequently called for greater decentralisation of the IPPIS process to enable newly employed staff and workers transferring between institutions to be placed on the payroll and paid promptly after resuming their new appointments.

“A labourer is worthy of his timely wages. Salary is a right and not a privilege,” Akande said.

The association further appealed to the Federal Government to release funds approved in the 2025 budget for the purchase of critical medical equipment for UCH.

Akande said the hospital was yet to receive funding for several life-saving items provided for in the 2025 budget, despite the importance of the equipment to its operations.

“I would also like to draw attention to the fact that the Federal Government of Nigeria is yet to release funds to the University College Hospital for the procurement of many life-saving equipment budgeted for in 2025,” he said.

He urged the government to make the funds available without further delay, noting that the equipment was essential to the hospital’s ability to provide healthcare, train medical professionals and conduct research.

MDCAN also expressed concern over attacks on doctors and other healthcare workers, urging patients and their relatives to avoid violence when dissatisfied with medical services.

Akande said healthcare workers remained committed to providing the best possible care but noted that the outcome of treatment could sometimes be affected by circumstances outside their control.

“Although health care workers are essential to providing quality health care, some factors are beyond our control,” he said.

He identified inadequate or outdated medical equipment and unstable electricity supply among the challenges that could affect healthcare delivery even when health professionals were committed to their duties.

The chairman advised patients and relatives with complaints about medical care to pursue appropriate channels for redress rather than attacking healthcare workers.

“Such acts are illegal and are punishable under the law,” he warned.

He said attacks on health professionals could further worsen the shortage of skilled personnel by discouraging and demoralising workers already operating under difficult conditions.

Akande commended the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health, for recent steps aimed at addressing violence against healthcare workers.

He also congratulated members of MDCAN, UCH Chapter, on the 2026 Annual General Meeting and its accompanying activities, including a scientific conference, sporting events, courtesy visits, the AGM, a luncheon and a thanksgiving service.