Medical Guild, a group representing all Lagos State government-employed medical and dental practitioners, has raised serious concerns about the increasing harassment of doctors by multiple regulatory bodies.

Addressing journalists in Lagos ahead of it’s Annual Scientific Conference in Lagos, the Guild highlighted how the activities of agencies like the Police, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Consumer Protection Agency are disrupting medical practice in the state.

The duo of the Medical Guild, Dr Moruf Abdulsalam and the General Secretary, Dr Adekunle Akinade said the theme of the conference which is “When the Doctor is the Patient: A Critical Appraisal of the Hippocratic Values in Medical Practice,” brought together experts, stakeholders, and medical practitioners to reflect on the unique bond shared by healthcare professionals and the urgent need to protect doctors from unjust harassment.

They noted that the major highlight of the conference would be a panel discussion on “Navigating the Complex Web of Oversight: The Impact of Multiple Watchdogs on Medical Practice.”

The Medical Guild criticised the trend of multiple regulatory agencies exercising powers that should be the exclusive preserve of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

The Guild argued that routine medical errors and professional misconduct, which should be adjudicated by the MDCN, are now being criminalised by other agencies. “This overlap, they said, is causing undue anxiety, defensive medical practice, and demotivation among doctors.”

The Chairman of the Guild, Dr Moruf Abdulsalam described the situation as “an affront on the medical profession” and noted that it is also a contributing factor to the increasing attrition rate among doctors in Nigeria.

“Doctors are being subjected to intimidation, harassment, and prosecution by agencies that do not have the technical knowledge to assess medical practice issues. This must stop,” he stated.

He said to tackle the issue, the Guild has invited a panel of experts, including a medical law expert, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of Lagos State, a representative of the MDCN, and a representative of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos Command.

He said the goal of the panel was to explore solutions that would reduce harassment and restore confidence in medical practice.

The Medical Guild announce plans to produce a white paper at the end of the conference. The document, they said would outline recommendations aimed at addressing the growing harassment of doctors and ensuring that the MDCN remains the sole adjudicator of professional issues in medical practice.

“The white paper will be shared with the Lagos State Government and other relevant authorities to advocate for policy changes that protect the rights and well-being of medical professionals.

“The Guild hopes that the outcome of the conference will mark a turning point for medical practice in Lagos, ensuring that doctors are allowed to focus on saving lives without fear of harassment or intimidation.”

They insisted that doctors deserve respect, fair treatment, and a conducive work environment.

Speaking on their achievements, the Guild said despite the challenges, the Medical Guild reported notable achievements in its ongoing negotiations with the Lagos State Government.

He noted that the wins, achieved through sustained advocacy and engagement by the executive to include: Payment of MRTF Training Allowance.

“In June 2024, the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) was paid, following a memorandum of understanding signed with the Lagos State Government in December 2023.

Also, the Accoutrement Allowance for All Doctors, “For the first time, house officers were included in the disbursement of the accoutrement allowance, ensuring that all doctors under the Guild’s umbrella benefited from the initiative.”

Other achievements, they listed include; CONMESS Salary Adjustment which the Lagos State Government approved the payment of a 25% to 35% adjustment in the CONMESS for all members of the Guild.

“While this process is ongoing, it is seen as a significant step toward fairer compensation for doctors.

“The Guild noted that these achievements reflect the power of sustained engagement with government authorities and emphasized the importance of protecting the welfare of medical professionals.”

On challenges, they said while significant progress has been made, several unresolved issues continue to affect the morale and welfare of doctors in Lagos.

The Guild further highlighted some challenges as priority areas for further advocacy. These include; demotion of specialist consultants who were demoted due to errors in their step entry points into the Lagos State public service.

They said the error has led to loss of income, diminished morale, and a reduced interest in joining Lagos State’s healthcare system.

“Lagos State has failed to deduct and remit contributions to the Contributory Pension Scheme and National Housing Fund (NHF) for resident doctors. This is a violation of the Pension Reform Act of 2014 and poses a serious threat to the financial security of doctors.

“While doctors are at the forefront of healthcare delivery, they remain exposed to health risks without comprehensive health insurance coverage. The Guild renewed its call for the Lagos State Government to implement a premium health insurance package for all medical practitioners.”

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