MDCAN decries economic decline, demands living wage for doctors and health workers

By Chinedu Adonu

Enugu — The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has raised alarm over Nigeria’s worsening economic situation, warning that it is undermining healthcare delivery and the wellbeing of citizens.

The association made the call on Thursday during its 14th Biennial Delegates’ Meeting and Scientific Conference held in Enugu, themed “Otanisi Psychosis: The Mental Health Implications of the Dwindling Socio-Economic Fortunes of Nigerians.”

National President of MDCAN, Prof. Muhammed A. Mohammed, linked the mass exodus of Nigerian doctors to poor remuneration, infrastructural decay, and insecurity, stressing that the minimum wage was no longer sustainable for doctors or other health workers.

“Remuneration, which is key, must be increased—not just for consultants or doctors, but for all healthcare workers. Nigerian doctors deserve a living wage, not just a minimum wage,” Mohammed said, urging government to view improved welfare as a patriotic investment.

He explained that the biennial meeting serves as a platform for members to review medical practice, training, and research, while proffering solutions to national health challenges.

On behalf of the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Medical and Allied Health Sciences, Enugu State, disclosed that government is doubling quotas in medical schools to address manpower shortages.

“The policy now is to equip medical schools with stronger capacity so they can train more students without compromising quality,” he noted.

The Chief Medical Director of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Prof. Obinna Onodugo, in his welcome remarks, urged MDCAN members to unite for improved healthcare delivery.

Also speaking, H.R.M. Igwe Sir F.O. Nwatu, Grand Patron of the Enugu Council of Traditional Rulers, commended MDCAN for a free medical outreach in his community and praised Governor Peter Mbah for policies aimed at reducing maternal mortality in the state.

Prof. Appolos Chidi Ndukuba, MDCAN Vice President I and Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, likened today’s hardship to the austerity era of the 1980s.

“In the 1980s, Nigerians experienced starvation and visible malnutrition—what we called Otanisi in Igboland. Today, Nigerians are again being thrown into similar hardship. That is why we chose the theme ‘Otanisi Psychosis’ to highlight the mental health implications of this decline,” he explained.

Dr. Uchenna Dilibe, Chairman of MDCAN UNTH chapter, added that the economic downturn was driving many Nigerians into depression and irrational behaviour, stressing the urgent need to address infrastructural deficits in hospitals and improve welfare for doctors and health practitioners.

The post MDCAN decries economic decline, demands living wage for doctors and health workers appeared first on Vanguard News.