Update: COOUTH MDCAN rejects CoS, urges  Obiano to call CMD to order

ONITSHA, Anambra, Nigeria – Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), Chukwu Odumegwu Ojuckwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), chapter Awka, Anambra state has rejected the Hospital Board’s Condition of Service (CoS), accusing  it of  having a hidden agenda.

MDCAN also demanded that the Chief Medical Director  CMD  of the hospital be called to order by the government, especially at this critical period of institution. Despite being paid  November salary on 23rd December 2019, the MDCAN alleged that the CMD refused to pay them, the aggreed  salary  negotiated with the government and the management, vowing  not to suspend strike action.

The COOUTH board had on 23rd December released its recommendations and condition of service(CoS) for the striking MDCAN to  suspend action.

A letter containing  CoS signed by the Board chairman, Dr. Clement Idigo obtained by  our reporter  in Awka, showed that government has approved a new condition of service, promotion of  staff with effect from 1, November 2019.

According to the board, the CONMES template submitted  by MDCAN was  accepted by government but would be implemented in stages at post commissioning of hospital diagnostic CT scan, digital X-ray, mommography and opening of private wards in the hospital.

It also directed the management of the hospital to implement the 70 percent condition of service, proper placement and promotions of all cadre of staff from November 1, 2019. According to the board, government has approved substantial  subvention to hospital to ensure that  the enhanced  salary rate  was paid to all staff.

The  board also directed the management of the hospital to expeditiously complete the digital X-ray machine, mommography and the CT scan  and private wards to enhance Internally Generated Revenue of hospital as directed by the government.

The board also  urged the striking MDCAN to suspend the strike and resume work in appreciation of government’s gesture. The board  also expressed  unhappiness over the continued  strike action by MDCAN since 1st November 2019.

Reacting to the board’s condition of service, MDCAN  accused the board and management of having some hidden agenda in their recommendations.

In a statement signed by its chairman, Dr. Chukwudi Okani, MDCAN said issue of  70% Revised CONMESS template was agreed  with the board and the CMD, graciously and that the recommendations accepted was not in contention

He however expressed shock by the Board wanting  to start paying them  less than 70% of aggreed template and at a non-specific date, revert to pay 70% CONMESS when the IGR has improved. 

“The commencement of clinical operations in the private ward which is still under construction for a about four years  and at the moment in the “cement and block”stage, commencement of the full operation after installation of a yet-to-be-seen CT scan, commencement of the operation of the digital x-ray and mammogram after they are installed. Then, 6 months after all these, the salaries would have another substantial increment. This is not acceptable” he said

He said the board and CMD are not  placing any importance on the personnel that would operate those machines. MDCAN chairman said that  COOUTH has only  one consultant Radiologist on the fulltime employment list and wonder how the person will cope.

According to him, the board failed to  understand that one individual cannot handle Ultrasound, CT Scan, X-ray, Mammogram,training of students, training of Resident Doctors, training of Interns and coping with the administrative work as the Head of Department

He stated that MDCAN members have  made a lot of sacrifices to accept 70% of the template instead of 100% and  shall not make further sacrifices. Okani said that they were not  going to accept any  manipulations from anybody to shortchange them again in the hospital because they endured for 12 years.

“How come the CMD and the Board who had all along been silent on salary review, suddenly became so powerful that they could now jettison the decisions taken by a committee set up by no other person than His Excellency, the Executive governor of Anambra State?

How come the CMD with the board suddenly become so caring to the extent of setting up a milestone for the attainment of a decision reached by the Governor’s committee?

We also feel there are so many hidden facts surrounding this Conditions of Service (CoS) document. It is expedient we see this CoS together with the agreed 70% Revised CONMESS before we can even contemplate suspending this strike” he said.