Despite the dissolution of ASUU ranks ranks, efforts are still ongoing to resolve the crisis in the education sector.
Two unions have also been brought up by the federal government where it was said to have registered two separate unions, the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics and the Congress of Nigerian University Academics.
Speaking on this recent development on TVC Midday News, National Welfare Officer, Consultant, Chemical Pathologist and Metabolic Physician Dr Abdul Rahman Shehu stated that the decision by the federal government to recorgnise the two other separate unions besides ASUU was a beautiful development as far as medical education in Nigeria is concerned and long overdue.
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Dr Shehu said he was grateful to the federal government for the decision which according to him has been long overdue.
According to him, the medical education like most other disciplines in the education sector has both undergraduate and postgraduate components and particularly the undergraduate component of training.
“It is a known fact, though not so known to the public that the medical calender in the medical school is different very different from the rest of the university community.
“Whereas, the rest of the university community operates semester training system, the medical undergraduate training does not operates semester training. It is a 12 year calendar system.
“Once you enter into the medical school, continue to undergo postings from end to end. This is one very distinct feature that needed to be sifted through and properly addressed for the benefit of training and producing medical doctors and even Medical Specialists for the benefit of Nigeria’s health.
The Chemical and Pathological consultant and Metabolic Physician added that the recent decision by the federal government will advance the advance the medical lecturer career because they now have a voice to speak to the peculiarities that affect their service and cultural training of medical students who are potential doctors.
He said this was a welcome development and members are very happy about it.
Dr Shehu also added that some its members across the country have started working at the Maiduguri teaching hospital and they recently conducted the examination for medical students.
“It is not a question of assuming duty but a question of continuing duty.
“Some other medical schools are currently closed, but we believe that the environment will be created for our members to fully engage.
He emphasized that the association was formed on merit rather than as an antagonistic association.
Dr Shehu added that the Association has been seeking to be registered since 2017 when the first formal attempt was made.
Many of the peculiarities that have affected us as lecturers over the years have really not been factored into negotiation when ASUU represents our members in interface with either the University or the federal government, so we have always had to come and fight from behind to make sense as we understand these peculiarities and then hoping that negotiations can be amended to fit these peculiarities.
“We are not averse to actual fighting for the welfare of members.
“Every trade union should and must fight for the welfare of its members, but what we are concerned about is the constant disruption of medical education and its attendance effect on the delivery of health care to the public.
“This is one of the factors that influenced the decision to pursue this path; unfortunately, and thankfully to God, we are here today, with a registered trade union to further this cause” Dr Shehu said.
