The leadership of the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital in Ile-Ife, Osun State, has announced their participation in a warning strike following a directive from the national leadership of the association. The strike comes after a 21-day ultimatum given to the Federal Government to address discriminatory criteria against clinical lecturers in the selection of university leadership positions, particularly for the role of vice-chancellor.
Referencing recent events at various universities, including Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Anambra State, the association is advocating for an all-inclusive advertisement approach for the Vice-Chancellor position. OAU clinical lecturers have halted academic activities at the College of Health Sciences in compliance with the strike directive.
In addition to national demands, the OAU MDCAN is insisting on the implementation of CONMESS and equal treatment for clinical lecturers compared to their counterparts in other federal universities. The association highlighted concerns about final medical students’ future and potential accreditation issues due to the ongoing salary discrepancies.
The association is pressing for immediate action to address these issues, emphasizing the importance of securing the future of medical education at the university. Despite potential disruptions to student exams and accreditation processes, the association remains steadfast in their strike stance.
Urging swift action from the government and university authorities, the association expressed dismay over the challenges faced by medical education in the country, attributing the situation to a lack of attention from health sector stakeholders.