Reps move to probe alleged discriminatory rejection of Resident Doctors at UNICAL Teaching Hospital

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives on Tuesday raised alarm over alleged discriminatory practices in the recruitment of resident doctors at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Cross River State, following a motion sponsored by Hon. Iduma Igariwey.
Moving the motion titled “Need to Investigate the Ugly, Discriminatory Practices in the Recruitment of Resident Doctors by the Chief Medical Director of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital,” Igariwey told the House that UCTH, a federal institution and a component of the University of Calabar, was established as a centre of excellence in learning and professional conduct.
The House noted recent reports circulating in the print, electronic and social media alleging that the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of UCTH, Prof. Ikpeme A. Ikpeme, rejected a list of 17 newly graduated medical doctors posted to the hospital by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) for the mandatory one-year housemanship.
Lawmakers were disturbed by allegations that the CMD reportedly rejected the entire list on the grounds that 15 of the 17 doctors were of Igbo extraction.
The House was further informed that despite appeals from the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), UCTH chapter, and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Cross River State branch, Prof. Ikpeme allegedly maintained his decision to reject the list due to what he described as the high number of Igbo applicants.
Members expressed concern that rejecting a list forwarded by the MDCN, the statutory regulatory body for teaching hospitals—on ethnic grounds constitutes a grave violation of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of tribe, region or tongue.
The House also noted that the alleged action comes at a time Nigeria’s healthcare system is grappling with a severe manpower shortage, with licensed doctors reportedly numbering about 40,000, far below the estimated 300,000 required to adequately serve the population.
Lawmakers warned that such conduct by a senior federal officer could worsen the brain drain in the health sector and further inflame ethnic tensions, with implications for national unity, security and stability.