The University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) medical doctors are compelled to pay an lodging price of N200,000 earlier than they’ll safe housing on the hospital’s House Officers’ Quarters.
In a press release dated October 14, 2024, the hospital administration introduced that intending occupants should now pay, this price, described as an “Annual Maintenance Charge,” has brought about a major outcry throughout the medical neighborhood, elevating considerations concerning the monetary burden on new medical professionals.
The administration acknowledged that “intending occupants must pay an Annual Maintenance Charge of N200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) only, and present evidence of payment to the Estate Unit.”
This cost is non-negotiable, and failure to comply with the method makes the occupant’s keep unauthorised.
Doctors name for pressing evaluate
Nigerian medical doctors have raised alarms over this coverage, calling for a evaluate.
- In a put up from the deal with @Nigerian_Doctor on X, they expressed considerations concerning the influence of this price on new House Officers. Traditionally, the lodging at UCTH, like different federal hospitals, is a part of the employment bundle supplied by the federal government.
- “This Hospital is funded by the Federal Government and the accommodation is meant to be a free incentive to House Officers, just like other hospitals. It is unfair to ask new employees to cough up N200,000 before they have even earned a salary,” the put up acknowledged.
- The medical doctors reportedly provided to pay the price via month-to-month deductions from their salaries to scale back the monetary burden, however this request was denied by the hospital administration, leaving many new medical doctors stranded.
“We plead for an pressing investigation into this lodging allocation price, if not sanctioned by the Federal Government.
“However, if UCTH is following ‘order from above’, we plead for consideration of month-to-month deductions,“the assertion reads.
Management defends coverage
In its assertion, the UCTH administration clarified that the price is non-negotiable, and failure to pay it earlier than the 24-hour approval window lapses will consequence within the new medical doctors being thought-about unlawful tenants.
- “Before payment is made, doctors must obtain approval, valid only for 24 hours. After presenting payment evidence to the Estate Unit, they are issued an allocation letter, granting full rights to move into their allocated room”
- “Intending occupants must pay an Annual Maintenance Charge of N200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) only, and present evidence of payment to the ESTATE UNIT.”
- The assertion additional emphasised that the Estate Unit is liable for imposing the lodging guidelines, together with the authority to evict any physician discovered utilizing the quarters for unauthorized functions.
“There is an Estate Office within the House Officers’ Quarter with staff of the Estate Unit stationed there,” the assertion learn, including that medical doctors should give up their keys on the finish of the 12-month tenancy or face additional penalties.
Calls for investigation
The introduction of this price has prompted requires an investigation into whether or not the cost was sanctioned by the Federal Government or whether it is an remoted resolution by the hospital administration.
Many within the medical neighborhood are interesting to key healthcare leaders, together with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and the Federal Ministry of Health, to urgently evaluate the coverage.
The present state of affairs has raised broader considerations concerning the therapy of latest medical doctors inside Nigeria’s healthcare system and the necessity for insurance policies that help quite than burden them as they start their careers.
