Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) has begun an indefinite strike in response to the alleged exclusion of its members from contesting for the Vice Chancellor position at the institution.
The association is protesting what they perceive as a lack of transparency and fairness in the selection process, and are demanding equal opportunity for their members to vie for leadership roles within the university.
A statement jointly signed by Victor Modekwe and Dr Sunday Orji, Chairman and Secretary respectively of MDCAN, announced the commencement of the strike on Wednesday in Awka.
They said the industrial action entailed the withdrawal of all the medical and clinical lecturers from the Faculties of Medicine, Basic Clinical Sciences and Basic Medical Sciences, from all academic functions.
It said that the strike was to protest the alleged deliberate exclusion of its members from contesting for the position of Vice-Chancellor at Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
It said that the vacancy advert indicated that an applicant for the position of Vice-Chancellor must possess a first degree, Masters degree and a PhD.
The association said that the academic pathway of clinical lecturers in NAU and globally did not fit into the criteria laid down in the vacancy advert.
“Recall we specifically asked for the withdrawal of the obnoxious vacancy advert for the position of the Vice- chancellor of NAU in order to guarantee industrial harmony.
“We observed that up till now the vacancy advert still stands and our members remained excluded from the contest of Vice- chancellor, for two weeks now.
“The congress therefore, resolved to proceed on an indefinite withdrawal of services by all the clinical lecturers of NAU until this advert is withdrawn,” the association said.
Ikengaonline reports that the strike is expected to disrupt medical services at the university hospital and could have significant implications for the academic and healthcare activities at UNIZIK.
