Senate declares termination unjustified, orders immediate recall as NMA demands end to locum appointments.
Source: Sola Ogundipe
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has praised the Senate Committee on Health for its decisive intervention in the controversial dismissal of three long-serving locum medical consultants at the National Hospital, Abuja (NHA), describing the move as a “landmark act of justice.”
The Senate Committee unanimously condemned the casualisation of doctors in federal hospitals, noting that the terminated consultants—a radiologist, urologist, and obstetrician/gynaecologist—played essential roles in both service delivery and the training of medical professionals.
Senate Stands Against Victimisation of Health Workers
The resolution followed tensions between NMA FCT branch and NHA management over the arbitrary sacking of the consultants, who were part of a group of 30 locum consultants working without access to pensions, health insurance, or full salary scales.
Speaking after the Senate directive, Dr. Benjamin Oluwatosin Olowojebutu, NMA’s National First Vice-President, commended the lawmakers for upholding professional dignity and justice.
“This is a welcome decision. The Senate has stood for justice, egalitarianism, and the dignity of the medical profession. Their position was unanimous—the doctors were scapegoated and victimized.”
He continued:
“We’ve told the government that it is unacceptable to keep doctors on locum status, especially when they’re already in short supply. Locum doctors lack basic employment protections.”
Casualisation and Brain Drain: A National Crisis
The NMA had earlier issued a 14-day ultimatum to the NHA, demanding the reinstatement of the consultants, along with calls for:
- An end to casualisation of medical professionals
- Payment of salary arrears
- Enhanced security for hospital workers
- Transparent recruitment processes
- Stronger policies to retain doctors and curb the ongoing ‘Japa’ exodus
Though the Senate resolution appears to have achieved a breakthrough, Dr. Olowojebutu noted that wider structural reforms are still urgently needed.
“This is about more than just three doctors. We must end locum practices across Nigeria to protect the integrity of the profession.”
NMA Calls for National Healthcare Workforce Reform
While celebrating the reinstatement as a victory, the NMA leadership emphasized that the broader fight against locum employment would continue until policy reforms are adopted nationwide.
“Going forward, NMA will ensure this matter sets a precedent. No doctor should be subjected to insecure, demeaning employment conditions,” Dr. Olowojebutu stressed.
English