I am privileged to share this report which I received from Dr. Victor Makanjuola on the stewardship of the Secretariat of the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) for the years 2021-2023.
Dr. Victor Makanjuola, a member of staff of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (CoMUI) and a distinguished, dutiful, determined & dedicated alumnus of the CoMUI MBBS graduating Class of 1998 led the National Officers’ Committee as President along with two other members of academic staff of CoMUI. Dr. Yemi Raji was the Secretary-General, and Dr. Timothy Aladelusi, an alumnus of CoMUI’s BDS Class of 2002 was Treasurer. Dr. Yemi Raji is a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
These men are great institution builders, and we celebrate them. Their dedication and hard work contributed greatly to the College's progress, and in this specific instance, in their leadership roles at the helm of affairs of the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) from 2021 to 2023. Their achievements are commendable, with notable accomplishments such as improving the association's financial stability, advocating for the rights of hospital consultants and improvements in the welfare of academic clinicians, hosting critical national meetings, enhancing communication among members, and safeguarding the interests of medical professionals. More so, their efforts in the areas of medical education, legal representation, and healthcare management have left a significant mark on the association, safeguarding a successful future ahead. They were bold and brave, and always made us so proud of their efforts even as they crisscrossed every nook and cranny of this vast land called Nigeria, filled with potential and opportunity just waiting to be tapped.
I am deeply thankful to God for saving them and indeed their families, friends, and the entire nation from mourning through an airplane mishap. We are grateful to God for journey mercies too numerous to count during their frequent travels. I thank their spouses, children, and families for their support and endurance throughout the period of call to service.
Personally, I am glad the period is over and that they can now take on other areas of leadership and service especially within CoMUI using their wealth of experience and uncommon interpersonal skills.
I invite you to read this stewardship report.
Thank you!
Olayinka Omigbodun FAS
Professor of Psychiatry, and Provost
SUMMARY OF THE REPORT OF STEWARDSHIP OF THE SECRETARIAT OF MDCAN 2021-2023
HOSTED BY THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL AND
COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN, IBADAN CHAPTER
Presented to the 12th Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan,
Professor Olayinka Omigbodun FAS
A. LAYING A SOLID FOUNDATION TO RUN THE SECRETARIAT
On the 4th of September 2021, the new executive body of the MDCAN was inaugurated. The national officers’ committee comprised of the following:
Dr Victor Makanjuola (President)
Dr Yemi Raji (Secretary General)
Dr Timothy Aladelusi (Treasurer)
Prof Mohammad Aminu Mohammad (Vice President I)
Dr Azuka Obi (Vice President II)
Dr Obioma Obikeze (Assistant Secretary General)
Dr Sani Adamu (Internal Auditor)
Dr. Emeka Odai (Publicity Secretary)
Prof. Titus Chukwuanukwu (Editor-in-Chief)
Prof Kenneth Ozoilo (Ex-officio 1)
Prof Moses Chingle (Ex-officio 2)
The committee set out to work immediately by conducting a SWOT analysis of our Association at that point in time. Two weaknesses were identified and addressed promptly. The first was the precarious state of the finances of the Association and the uncertainty surrounding our legal representation. Steps were taken to ensure improved monthly income and prudent management of resources. This had ensured that we left our Association in a much better financial position than we met it. We also appointed a reputable firm headed by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria on a retainership to handle all our legal exposures.
We successfully hosted 6 statutory National Executive Council Meetings in different venues across the nation, three of the six venues were first-time hosts, thus improving organisational capacity within the association while also promoting the sense of belonging of new and smaller chapters.
B. NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE EXECUTIVE BODY
The following are a few of the notable achievements of the executive body in the last two years:
Appointment of consultants on a contract basis on the same level they are at retirement.
1. In pursuit of the elongation of the retirement age for Hospital Consultants, we coordinated operations of the visits to the Head of Services of 22 states of the Federation and worked with officials of the Ministry of Health to include strong justification in the proposal to the National Council of Establishment. While the proposal was rejected, the meeting granted the appointment of consultants on a contract basis on the same level they are at retirement. Hitherto, contract appointments were at a level lower than the level at retirement.
With the Head of Service of Ogun State
Increase in the Clinical Duty Allowance
2. Due to the stagnation of the salary on the University side over the last 15 years or thereabouts and the drop in grade level at the entry point to the University at CONNUAS 4 as lecturer 1. The honorary consultants suffer significant income loss with long-term implications for pension deductions as well. For the very time, despite persistent agitation from previous executive bodies, we were able to successfully address this income loss in part with the release of circular SWC/C/04/S.53/230 which increased the Clinical Duty Allowance (an allowance only earned by honorary consultants) from an average of about 25 thousand naira per month to about 90 thousand naira per month (about 200% increase) with effect from June 2023.
Receiving the report of the technical committee NSWIC
With the Chairman of NSIWC, Chief Ekpo Nta after he Signed the Circular
Protecting and Defending the Profession
3. The robust defence of our profession from unwarranted and self-serving incursions by allied health professionals were evident in our regular attendance of public hearing where bills inimical to the health of our profession were tabled. Our submissions as well as those of NMA ensured that such bills do not see the light of day.
Redeeming shares
4. Healthnomics, a health management Organisation floated by MDCAN was at the point of raising capital for the take-off of the organisation when we took over. About 40 million shares at 1.25k per share were allotted to the National as the majority shareholder. This comes to 50 million naira. Our executive has redeemed our shares while also hosting the headquarters of Healthnomics in our Secretariat Building in Abuja in a deal that accounts for 50% of our equity contributions. Healthnomics, currently undergoing accreditation procedure by National Health Insurance Authority is on the verge of being registered as an HMO with nationwide coverage.
Creating an online platform to engage in meaningful discussions
5. We have been able to provide a platform whereby all consultants across the country could meet electronically and engage in meaningful discussions. This platform also helps in requesting information from colleagues in real time this was achieved through leveraging the WhatsApp App.
Launched the first edition of MDCAN news
6. To improve our visibility in relevant offices and to document our numerous activities at the chapter level, including charitable causes, we launched the first edition of the MDCAN news update (a news magazine).
MDCAN News update
Hosting a medical education summit
7. Given the numerous challenges facing tertiary education in general and medical education in particular we hosted a medical education summit in Abuja on the sixth of December 2022. The discussion led by leaders of thought in medical education in Nigeria and the diaspora was robust. The outcome of the Summit has been shared with stakeholders as we follow up on the implementation of the recommendations to different stakeholders.
Panel discussion at the Medical Education Summit
Launched the Ease of Practice Initiative
8. With the increasing awareness of the public about acceptable standards of medical practice and the increasing interest of lawyers in medical jurisprudence as a veritable avenue for more income, the need to protect our members from frivolous lawsuits cannot be overemphasised. We also need to minimise catastrophic spending on the part of the doctor in a bid to defend oneself when sued. We have launched the Ease of Practice Initiative to provide a shield to consultants and other doctors while they go about their normal duties. This initiative had been in the MDCAN purview for years but has now been given the necessary elixir to function with an Executive committee in place.
Launch of Ease of Practice Initiative
Purchased Vehicle for the use of the Secretariat.
9. The secretariat’s dignity and safety were often challenged by intracity commute as we went about our duties in the Federal Capital Territory, where most of the government agencies we relate with are located. To ensure the next Executive body does not encounter similar challenges, we have purchased an SUV for the use of the Secretariat in their service to the association. This is registered as MDCAN 01, with the belief that more may be added to the fleet as necessary.
MDCAN 01
C. APPRECIATION AND THANKSGIVING TO GOD
We give Almighty God all glory and honour for our modest achievements and for seeing us through numerous challenges. We are particularly thankful for His mercy in averting a disaster while a flight that the three members of the Secretariat were onboard from Yola crash-landed in Abuja.
“It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed,
because his compassions fail not.”
(Lamentations 3:22)
Plane crash lands in Abuja
D. GRATITUDE
We appreciate our children and wives for their support and for enduring our long absences. We could not have done this without their understanding and encouragement at our low points.
We sincerely appreciate the Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital, Professor Jesse Abiodun Otegbayo, Provost College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Professor Olayinka Omigbodun FAS, and The Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale FAS, mni for giving us the wings to fly and supporting us all the way. We appreciate the Heads of the Department of Psychiatry, Medicine, and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, for their permission for short travel notices and their understanding of our frequent absences.
Amongst several other very supportive stakeholders, we appreciate the former Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole FAS for the unforgettable he role played in heralding into office this executive body through his support for a most successful and memorable hosting of the BDM in Ibadan two years ago. A significant part of our fundraising efforts was leveraged on his goodwill. He was also very responsive to our requests for political contacts and interventions during the tenure. God bless you, sir.
We appreciate the chairman and members of the local chapter of MDCAN on whose platform we stood to launch for the National leadership. We appreciate your sacrifices and dedication displayed in hosting the BDM two years ago and standing by us till the end of our tenure.
Long live MDCAN
Long Live College of Medicine, University of Ibadan
Long Live the University College Hospital, Ibadan
Dr. Victor Makanjuola, President, National Officers’ Committee of MDCAN 2021-2023
Dr. Yemi Raji was the Secretary-General.
Dr. Timothy Aladelusi, Treasurer
Photos from MDCAN Biennial Delegates Meeting (Ibadan 2021)
Photos with the Provost, Professor Olayinka Omigbodun FAS.
The Provost with Dr. Timothy Aladelusi
The Provost with Dr. Yemi Raji
The Provost with Victor Makanjuola and his wife Funmi also an alumna of CoMUI