Nigerian Medical Consultants Refute Bribery Allegations

NBS Report Sparks Controversy in Medical Community

The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has vehemently denied accusations of widespread bribery within the Nigerian healthcare system. This denial comes in response to a recent report by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which claimed that a significant portion of health workers in the country accept bribes from patients.

The Controversial Report

The NBS report, titled “Corruption in Nigeria: Patterns and Trends Third survey on corruption as experienced by the population,” alleged that 42% of health workers received bribes to expedite procedures, while 15% accepted bribes to finalise procedures. This survey, conducted in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian medical community.

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MDCAN’s Response

Prof. Mohammed Aminu Mohammed, President of MDCAN, issued a strong rebuttal to these allegations. In a press statement, he dismissed the report as “false” and an attempt to “denigrate, dent the image and reputation of members of the noble profession before the public in the country.”

The association argues that the report unfairly targets doctors, who often constitute a minority within healthcare institutions. Prof. Mohammed stated:

“Where then will the doctors be discussing and demanding bribe with the patients as alleged by NBS.”

Questioning the Methodology

MDCAN has called for transparency regarding the study’s methodology. The association is demanding access to the raw data and details about the geographical areas covered in the survey. Prof. Mohammed emphasised:

“If we discovered that their methodology is right and have significant samples and proportion of Nigeria covered that allowed them to arrived at this conclusion, we can now look inward to see how we can make amend.”

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The Broader Context

The MDCAN highlights the challenging conditions under which Nigerian doctors work, noting that they are “among the least paid in the world.” Despite this, the association insists that its members remain committed to serving their country.

“All what we are doing in the country is sacrifice, it is not that we can not move out for greener pasture, but we decided to be patriotic and remained in the country despite so many challenges,” Prof. Mohammed explained.

Call for Specificity and Action

The association argues that if bribery is indeed occurring within healthcare facilities, it is crucial to identify the specific groups involved rather than making blanket accusations. MDCAN advocates for a more nuanced approach to investigating corruption in healthcare, taking into account the various roles and responsibilities within medical institutions.

Moving Forward

MDCAN has demanded a retraction of the report and a public apology if the NBS cannot substantiate its claims with robust methodology and data. The association maintains that such allegations could have far-reaching consequences on the morale and reputation of Nigerian medical professionals.

As this controversy unfolds, it highlights the complex challenges facing Nigeria’s healthcare system and the need for transparent, comprehensive investigations into allegations of corruption.