By Mercy Adi
The House of Representatives on Thursday waded into a fresh controversy over alleged ethnic discrimination in Nigeria’s health sector, mandating an investigation into claims that the management of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) rejected newly posted medical doctors on the basis of their ethnic origin.
The motion, brought under matters of urgent public importance by Rt Hon Iduma Igariwey Enwo, who represents Afikpo North/Afikpo South (Edda) federal constituency of Ebonyi state, accused the Chief Medical Director of UCTH, Prof Ikpeme Asanye Ikpeme, of refusing to accept 17 medical graduates deployed to the hospital for mandatory one-year housemanship by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
According to the motion, the CMD allegedly rejected the list on the grounds that 15 of the 17 doctors were of Igbo extraction, a decision lawmakers described as discriminatory, unconstitutional and damaging to national unity.
Leading the debate, Igariwey said the allegation, widely reported in the media, struck at the heart of Nigeria’s constitutional provisions against discrimination. He cited section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, place of origin or religion, warning that actions of this nature by federal institutions risk deepening ethnic divisions.
He told the House that appeals by the National Association of Resident Doctors at UCTH and the Nigerian Medical Association, Cross River branch, were reportedly rebuffed, with the CMD maintaining his stance despite concerns raised by professional bodies.
“This is a federal institution and a centre of excellence, to reject doctors duly posted by the regulatory authority simply because of where they come from is not only unlawful, it is dangerous for our fragile union.” Igariwey said.
Lawmakers also expressed concern that the alleged action could worsen Nigeria’s already dire healthcare manpower crisis. Igariwey noted that recent reports estimate Nigeria has about 40,000 licensed doctors, far below the roughly 300,000 required to meet the country’s healthcare needs, arguing that discriminatory practices would further fuel brain drain.
“The message this sends to young doctors is that merit does not matter, only where you come from, that is how nations lose their best hands,” he said.
The House resolved to mandate its Committee on Health Institutions to immediately investigate the allegations and report back within four weeks. It also called on the Federal Ministry of Health to suspend the CMD to prevent any interference with the investigation.
Speaking to journalists after plenary, Igariwey said the motion was motivated by concern for national cohesion as much as professional ethics.
“Even beyond the South-east, every Nigerian should be worried when a federal officer allegedly takes decisions based on tribe, adding that the House was acting within its oversight powers under section 88 of the constitution, He added.
He also questioned the irony of the alleged conduct, noting that the CMD himself trained outside Cross River state. “You cannot benefit from opportunities across the country and then deny others the same on ethnic grounds,” he said.
The investigation is expected to test the government’s commitment to equity, federal character and fairness in public institutions, particularly at a time when the health sector is under strain from emigration and staffing shortages.