A patients’ rights advocacy organisation, Disney Nwanne Foundation has called on President Bola Tinubu to reconstitute the board of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
In a press statement issued at the weekend, the convener of the foundation, Martins Obi Nwanne, said the absence of a properly constituted MDCN board is a serious threat to patient safety in Nigeria.
He said, “The MDCN is responsible for setting standards for medical and dental education, licensing doctors and dentists, and investigating complaints of professional misconduct. Without a board in place, these essential functions are being neglected.”
Nwanne said the lack of a properly constituted MDCN board had led to a number of problems, including delays in processing applications for medical and dental licenses, backlog of complaints of professional misconduct and lack of oversight of medical and dental schools.
These problems, according to him, are putting patients at risk. “For example, without a properly constituted MDCN board, it is more difficult for patients to ensure that their doctors and dentists are properly trained and licensed.
“Additionally, it is more difficult for patients to file complaints against doctors and dentists who have committed professional misconduct to conclusive effect.
“The federal government of Nigeria has a responsibility to protect the health and safety of its citizens. By failing to reconstitute the MDCN board, the government is failing to meet this responsibility,” he added.
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