The seven-day warning strike called by the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria is already wreaking havoc among patients in hospitals in Abuja, the national capital.

This even as patients deplored delays in accessing health services and new patients were not being admitted due to the ongoing strike.

Our correspondent reports that the strike affects 83 health establishments and 64 medical faculties across the country.

MDCAN members are on strike to assert their demands, calling on the Federal Government to relieve the University Board of Trustees Chairman Nnamdi Azikiwe from his appointment as Chairman of the Board, for his insubordination and to implement the directive of the Department of Education canceling any appointment. following their instructions.

It also asks “the FG to develop a comprehensive advertising prototype for the Vice Chancellor’s office. The advertisement for the post of Vice Chancellor recently published by the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria can serve as a prototype.

“The MDCAN NEC demands harmonization of the retirement age of consultant doctors to 70 years. The MDCAN NEC requires the harmonization of the payment of CONMESS emoluments to ensure the universal applicability of CONMESS to all doctors and dentists. Payment of clinical service allowance areas for 2023 and 2024 and 2023 25 percent/35 percent of CONMESS arrears.

At the National Hospital, Abuja, a patient identified as Uchenna said he was denied admission to the hospital because the consultants were on strike.

“I’m a new patient here. I had a test last week at a private clinic and was referred here, but was told I couldn’t be admitted because the consulting doctors were on strike.

“I have to look for a way out or wait to be admitted, but I doubt I can wait any longer,” the 56-year-old said.

Another patient, Bukola Bamgbose, said the strike was taking a toll on patients as they had to wait longer hours to see a doctor.

Meanwhile, hospital spokesperson Dr. Tayo Haastrup said the hospital handles emergency cases.

“We deal with critical and urgent cases, but if it is not an emergency, we cannot admit the patient at this time. But then the resident doctors and other health workers are on duty,” he noted.

At the Federal Medical Center in Abuja, a patient, Wale Debo, called on striking doctors and the federal government to reach an agreement that would end recurring strikes at teaching hospitals in the country.

He said: “Many Nigerians cannot afford treatment here, let alone go to private hospitals. I didn’t know there was a strike until I arrived this morning. The government must do something about the frequent strikes by doctors.”

Speaking to our correspondent, President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, Dr. Tope Osundara, said the strike was taking a toll on patients.

“What we do, as resident doctors, doctors, including health workers, is admit patients on behalf of the consultants because the consultants own the patients. So, because the consultants are not in the field currently, it is difficult for residents or anyone working with the consultants to admit patients on their behalf. It is therefore a heavy burden for the population because they need consultants to take care of their health problems. It is simply unfortunate that consultants have to go on strike because of their concerns and agitation.

“For NARD members, we work with hospital management, and if it is necessary for patients in intensive care to be referred to another center for adequate care, then we do so, and they do not admit no new patients.

“For patients on admission, we take care of them, but we are not admitting new patients, except those who require minor care. But anything that requires the input of a consultant, my members will not start working as a consultant, which they are not.

Osundare called on the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders to respond to the consultants’ demands.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the 10th Senate Committee on Health, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo, has scheduled a meeting with the striking doctors for Wednesday.

MDCAN National President, Prof. Muhammad Muhammad, who confirmed this to our correspondent, said: “We have a meeting with the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Prof. Banigo. It should take place Wednesday afternoon, and we will be there.

“However, the situation reports from hospitals are impressive, our consultants have really respected the strike across the country.”