MDCN’s visit to GMC: Queries, Speculations and Possible Future Implications

Following the recent surge of doctor’s emigration reported across board and the 62nd independence celebration of Nigeria in the month of October, a picture of MDCN officials visiting the General Medical Council (GMC) office in the United Kingdom, went viral on social media.

A similar denominator to almost all the reactions to this development was that, whatever the actual reason or outcome of that visit was, it definitely does not resonant well or favourable with the average Nigerian Medical doctor. As most doctors believed and still insist that the motive for the visit was most likely sinister to their progress, the process and prospect of their migration to greener pasture for the practice of medicine.

One of the queries by medical elders and colleagues was if the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) was privy to this move by her associate body. Noting that, although MDCN is the constitutional and statutory agency of government saddled with the duty of regulating and accrediting medical practice and medical institutions in Nigeria, NMA is still the recognised association and umbrella body for Nigerian doctors.

Hence, the MDCN cannot perform such functions on behalf of medical doctors without relating to them through their association. Another reaction from the same forum highlighted that MDCN be held accountable for this trip and be demanded to give an official information through the States NMA chairmen. Largely because, doctors pay dues to NMA and fees to MDCN, and it is their right to ask for information.

Some specific speculations on the possible reason for the visit by both doctors and the general public included: introducing new or increasing existing fee for Nigerian doctors in diaspora; proposing means to generate funds back into the council or the Nigerian medical system as a whole; taking “stock” of their doctors with GMC; consultation on medical education or examination system among many other things; or even preventing more doctors from migrating out of the systems to wherever they want (which ideally shouldn’t be a possibility, but in collaboration with the government and keeping in view that anything is possible in Nigeria, it could just be a possible speculation).

Albeit, embarking on such actions to restrict the migration (which is a basic human right) of any professional trained personal in its territory – who paid all the prescribed fees during his or her training – might mean the infringement of the doctors right. Which would be unconstitutional or illegal, as it amounts to holding them hostage and against their wish.

However, the regulatory body officially released a notice to debunk the circulating rumour of them entering into a bilateral agreement with the UK government, with the narrative that before any Nigerian medical graduate or licenced doctor can be registered or practice in the UK, they must have worked in Nigeria for 10 years. According to Dr S. K. Adebayo, Past Chairman NMA Lagos (on one of the forums), who spoke directly with Dr Tajudeen A. B. Sanusi, the MDCN Registrar on the festering issue, he confirmed that it was fake news, and frankly discussed at length about the meeting with the GMC – which was majorly for the benefit of both regulatory bodies and other things not meant for public domain.

This circular, also further raised eyebrows among doctors, seeking clarifications on specific phrases and statements used in the notice, such as “repatriate some funds in line with global health initiatives from Nigerian doctors trained with “taxpayers” money” and “Discussion around stemming the tide of brain drain also took place”. It also left them querying, whether or if doctors are the only set of people trained with “taxpayers” funds that were migrating?

Likewise, young doctors are of the opinion that the “other things” discussed and not disclosed sounded skeptical. Also, as subjects in the topic of discussion, “why were the discussions done without the general consent of the Nigerian doctors for whom the issue was surrounding via their different associations or affiliations” and “as doctors – for which MDCN is serving or representing – we all deserve to know those things, perhaps in our general meetings”.

They equally emphasized that what needs to be done, is to “improve the Nigerian health care system draining its brain” and “cast aside the typical Nigerian politician’s greed draining its pocket”, as opposed to persistently trying to pull down doctors who want a better life – for themselves and their families – away from the toxic system and environment.