Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria

The University College Hospital, Ibadan  of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has urged the federal government to urgently address manpower shortages and infrastructure gaps in teaching hospitals across the country.

The association also called for the immediate constitution of boards of management for federal tertiary hospitals, release of funds for approved medical equipment and faster payment of salaries to newly employed and transferred medical consultants.

Chairman of MDCAN, UCH Chapter, Dr. Oluseyi Akande, made the call on Monday in Ibadan, during the association’s biennial press briefing held as part of its 2026 annual general meeting.

Dr. Akande said the absence of boards of management at the UCH and several other federal tertiary hospitals for more than two years has slowed decision-making and affected effective administration.

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He explained that while chief medical directors oversee the day-to-day running of the hospitals, the boards are responsible for policy direction, equipment, maintenance and other critical approvals.

The association also expressed concern over increased admission quotas for colleges of medicine without corresponding improvements in facilities and staffing.

Akande said the policy was necessary to address Nigeria’s shortage of medical personnel but warned that increasing student numbers without adequate infrastructure and lecturers would further strain the system.

He said the College of Medicine at the University of Ibadan, has admitted more students since last year, but some infrastructure promised by the government were yet to be completed.

The MDCAN chairman also called for increased recruitment of medical lecturers, noting that consultants have to combine teaching medical students and resident doctors with clinical duties amid the migration of health professionals.

He further urged the government to introduce additional incentives for lecturers handling increased workloads.

On salaries, Dr. Akande raised concerns over delays affecting newly employed consultants and doctors transferring to UCH through the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).

He called for greater decentralisation of the payroll process to ensure affected workers receive their salaries promptly.

The association also appealed for the release of funds approved in the 2025 budget for life-saving equipment at the UCH, saying outdated equipment and unreliable electricity were among factors affecting healthcare delivery.

MDCAN further condemned violence against doctors and other healthcare workers, urging patients and relatives with complaints to seek redress through lawful channels.

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