OAU medical students’ examinations at risk due to consultants’ strike.

The ongoing warning strike by the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has had a significant impact on academic activities at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) College of Health Sciences.

As a result of the strike, there are concerns that it may jeopardize the final-year medical students’ examinations and potentially impact the institution’s accreditation status.

The strike was initiated following grievances related to discriminatory practices in appointing university vice-chancellors and the non-implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for clinical lecturers.

The MDCAN cited recent developments in other universities, such as Nnamdi Azikiwe University, and demanded an all-inclusive prototype for the advertisement of the Vice-Chancellor’s office.

OAU clinical lecturers have complied with the strike directive, leading to the shutdown of academic activities at the College of Health Sciences.

The OAU MDCAN Chairman and General Secretary emphasized that clinical lecturers will not resume work until they are placed on CONMESS, as is the case in other federal universities. Failure to address this issue could lead to the loss of accreditation status for the medical college with the National University Commission (NUC).

The association underscored the importance of immediate payment of CONMESS to all clinical lecturers at OAU to safeguard the future of medical education at the institution. They urged the Federal Government and OAU authorities to address the challenges facing medical education and the shortage of clinical lecturers promptly to prevent further disruptions and potential loss of accreditation.

The strike has raised concerns about the fate of over 100 final-year medical students and the impending accreditation process. Without a resolution, the impact on education and accreditation is expected to be severe, highlighting the urgency of addressing the issues raised by the MDCAN.