Isaac Samuel
The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate alleged discriminatory practices in the recruitment of resident doctors at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), following claims that the hospital’s Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, rejected doctors posted to the institution on ethnic grounds.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion moved by Iduma Igarewey during plenary in Abuja.
Moving the motion, Igarewey raised concerns over reports that the CMD allegedly declined a list of 17 newly graduated medical doctors posted to UCTH by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) for the mandatory one-year housemanship programme.
According to the motion, Prof. Ikpeme was said to have rejected the entire list on the grounds that 15 of the 17 doctors were of Igbo extraction, a decision that reportedly remained unchanged despite appeals from the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), UCTH chapter, and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Cross River State branch.
He expressed deep concern that the alleged action, if proven, constitutes a grave violation of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which prohibits discrimination against citizens on the basis of tribe, ethnicity, or place of origin.
He further noted that the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, as a federal institution and a component of the University of Calabar, was established as a centre of excellence in learning, professionalism, and ethical conduct, and should therefore uphold national values of equity and inclusion.
Igarewey warned that the alleged rejection of duly posted doctors by a regulatory body not only undermines due process but also exacerbates Nigeria’s already fragile healthcare system, which is grappling with a severe manpower deficit. Citing health sector reports, lawmakers observed that Nigeria currently has about 40,000 licensed doctors, far below the estimated 300,000 required to meet the country’s healthcare needs.
“Prof Ikpeme’s conduct Is further compounding the challenges confronting our health care system, and the efforts of the current administration, being that Nigeria’s fragile health care system is facing a critical manpower deficit, as the number of licensed doctors has dropped to about 40,000, far below the estimated 300,000 needed to adequately serve Nigeria’s health care needs.
He further decried what they described as conduct capable of encouraging brain drain in the health sector and deepening ethnic divisions, with wider implications for national unity, security, and stability.
“The conduct of this highly placed federal officer that encourages brain drain in the Health sector, and more importantly further fractures the delicate ethnic fault lines of our union, leading to divisiveness, insecurity and instability.
Consequently, the House mandated its Committee on Health Institutions to immediately commence a comprehensive investigation into the allegations and report back within four weeks.
In addition, lawmakers called on the Federal Ministry of Health to suspend Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme from office to prevent any possible interference with the investigation.
The House reaffirmed its commitment to upholding constitutional provisions against discrimination and ensuring fairness, professionalism, and national cohesion in federal institutions.
