Reps Seek Suspension of UCTH CMD over Discriminatory Recruitment Claims!
Reps Seek Suspension of UCTH CMD over Discriminatory Recruitment Claims!
Reported by Mustapha Labake Omowumi | Sele Media Africa Journalist
The House of Representatives has called for the immediate suspension of the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, following allegations of ethnic discrimination in the recruitment of medical doctors.
The resolution came on Thursday, during plenary when lawmakers overwhelmingly adopted a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Iduma Igariwey, the member representing Afikpo South/Afikpo North Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State.
According to the motion, Prof. Ikpeme rejected a list of 17 newly graduated medical doctors sent by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) for their compulsory one-year housemanship posting at the federal tertiary hospital. Lawmakers noted that 15 of the 17 doctors are of Igbo extraction, and alleged that this was the basis for the CMD’s refusal to accept the list.
Lawmakers, alarmed by the development, stated that the alleged conduct violates constitutional provisions that prohibit discrimination based on tribe, ethnicity or place of origin — principles enshrined in Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The House is alarmed that by rejecting a bona fide list of medical doctors sent to him by the regulatory body on account of tribe/region, Prof. Ikpeme is in dangerous violation of the 1999 Constitution,” Hon. Igariwey told the chamber.
In addition to seeking his suspension, the House mandated its Committee on Health Institutions to investigate the matter, with a report due within four weeks. Lawmakers noted that the suspension will help ensure that the CMD does not interfere with ongoing investigations.
The controversy has drawn sharp criticism from professional bodies, including local chapters of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), who had reportedly intervened before the motion was moved.
Lawmakers also warned that such discriminatory practices, if proven true, could exacerbate Nigeria’s healthcare workforce crisis and undermine efforts to curb brain drain in the health sector — as the country continues to grapple with a significant shortage of medical professionals.
The House’s action reflects growing concern over federal institutions’ adherence to Federal Character principles and the need to uphold national unity and inclusion in public service appointments.
Citation :
1.PunchNG:
https://punchng.com/reps-seek-suspension-of-ucth-cmd-over-discriminatory-recruitment-claims/
2.Pointblanknews:
https://pointblanknews.com/pbn/news/reps-probe-alleged-discriminatory-recruitment-at-ucth-seek-cmds-suspension/
3.PremiumTimesNG:
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/853060-reps-demand-suspension-of-ucth-cmd-over-alleged-ethnic-bias-in-recruitment.html
4.TheCable:
https://www.thecable.ng/reps-ask-fg-to-suspend-ucth-chief-medical-director-for-rejecting-doctors-over-tribe/
5.HeadTopics:
https://ng.headtopics.com/news/house
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