MDCN Appointment: Group Urge President Tinubu to Call Minister to Order
The need to follow due process and maintain existing extant Laws guiding appointment of officers and other relevant key stakeholders in the health sector guarantee stability and development for good healthcare delivery.
While condemning the recent appointment of the registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN, by authority as abberation that may hinder a lot of development growth in the sector.
A group, Nigeria Health Practitioners (NHP) in a petition posit that the recent appointment of the registrar by the President contradicts the provisions of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act, Cap M8 LFN 2004.
It will be recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had last week approved the appointment and reappointment of board chairpersons and chief executive officers under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
NHP in their petition, informed that the appointment of the registrar by the President is unconstitutional and moreso against the extant Law on appointment of such officer in the health sector
According to Dr. Kayode Oginni and Pharm. Grace Melani in a statement signed and issued on Tuesday note that Section 6(1) of the act vests the authority to appoint a registrar for the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria in the council and not at the perogative or mercy of Mr. President as the case applicable now.
NHP however appreciate the Passion of the President towards growth of all sectors, urging him at intervein at reverse the decision in the interest, development and productivity in the health sector.
The group said “Our attention has been drawn to the President’s approval for leadership appointments in the health sector, including the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
“While applauding the appointment of a Chairman for the Council, an appointment that had been due since November 2022, we wish to point out that the appointment of the Registrar by the President is at variance with the provisions of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act, Cap M8 LFN 2004. Section 6(1) of the Act vests the authority to appoint a registrar for the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria in the Council.
Adding that penchant of for the minister of health to violate the provisions of Section 4 and usurp the statutory veneer of independence of the Council appointing registrar is against the regulatory independence of the medical and dental professions council in totality.
While an injustice to one is an injustice to all, as other relevant medical councils are vehemently against the present situation at the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria ,MDCN that needs urgent reversal in the interest of healthcare growth on the country.
NHP therefore urge the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to use his good office at halting this anomaly and violation of the laws of the Federation of Nigeria and allow due process to take it course.
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