Health
2,000 MEDICAL GRADUATE MISS HOUSEMANSHIP PLACEMENT YEARLY – MDCN
The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has revealed that about 2,000 medical doctors produced annually in the country are unable to secure housemanship placements due to capacity limitations within the existing centralized system.
The Registrar of the Council, Dr. Fatimah Kyari, made this known on Friday during the MDCN’s 2026 budget defence before the Senate Committee on Health in Abuja.
According to Kyari, Nigerian medical schools graduate roughly 6,000 medical doctors every year, but the Centralized Housemanship System currently has capacity for only 4,000 doctors, leaving about 2,000 graduates without placement annually.
To address the shortfall, she urged the Federal Government to include state-owned and privately run hospitals in the Centralized Housemanship System, stressing that this would allow for the absorption of all 6,000 medical graduates each year.“
A total of about 6,000 medical doctors are produced annually from various medical schools, while the centralized housemanship system in operation can only accommodate 4,000,” she said.
“As a way of accommodating the 6,000 medical doctors at once every year, there is a need to include state and privately owned hospitals in the centralized housemanship system.”
Kyari noted that full absorption of medical graduates into housemanship programmes was crucial to curbing brain drain in the health sector, which she described as a growing challenge.
She also decried funding constraints faced by the Council, disclosing that no funds were released from the N1.2 billion capital allocation appropriated to MDCN in the 2025 fiscal year.
According to her, only N37.5 million was released out of the N100 million appropriated for overhead costs, while N13.859 billion was released from the N16.8 billion earmarked for personnel costs during the same period.
In his response, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Senator Banigo Ipalibo (PDP, Rivers West), assured the MDCN Registrar that the committee would ensure adequate funding for the Council.
The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has suspended its 84-day nationwide strike following agreements reached with the Federal Government.
The decision was announced on Friday in a communiqué jointly signed by the JOHESU National Chairman, Kabiru Ado-Minjibir, and National Secretary, Martin Egbanubi, after an emergency expanded National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja.
JOHESU said the NEC reviewed the outcome of a February 5 conciliation meeting convened by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, where both parties resolved to begin negotiations on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and immediately prioritise unresolved issues surrounding the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) adjustment.
According to the union, the Federal Government also agreed to make budgetary provisions for the CONHESS salary adjustment in the 2026 Appropriation Act, based on an existing technical committee template.
The communiqué added that the government committed to withdrawing the “No Work, No Pay” directive issued against striking members and to the immediate payment of January 2026 salaries.
“No JOHESU member will be victimised, sanctioned or intimidated for participating in the industrial action,” the union stated.
Following the review, the NEC unanimously approved the suspension of the strike and directed all JOHESU members across federal and state health institutions to resume work immediately.
The strike, which began on November 15, 2025, was triggered by the non-implementation of CONHESS adjustments and other outstanding welfare demands.
JOHESU noted that the prolonged industrial action severely disrupted healthcare delivery nationwide, contributing to rising maternal and infant mortality, while the Federal Government reportedly lost nearly ₦1 trillion in revenue.
The union said the conciliation meeting followed a 14-day ultimatum issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The meeting was attended by the Ministers of Labour, Finance and Health, as well as officials of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
JOHESU commended the intervention of the National Assembly leadership, traditional rulers and professional bodies, urging the Federal Government and states to fully implement the agreements to avert future strikes in the health sector.
By Ezinne Obah
U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order threatening to impose tariffs of up to 25 per cent on countries that continue doing business with Iran, signalling a tougher phase in Washington’s economic pressure campaign against Tehran.
The order, signed on Friday, gives the Trump administration the authority to penalize foreign governments and companies that maintain commercial ties with Iran, particularly in sectors considered vital to its economy. While the tariffs are not immediately enforceable, the move serves as a clear warning to the U.S. allies and global trade partners.
The decision comes at a sensitive moment in U.S.–Iran relations. Although officials from both countries engaged in talks earlier this week, long-standing tensions over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, regional influence, and sanctions compliance remain unresolved. Observers say the executive order underscores Trump’s preference for economic pressure as leverage in dealing with Tehran.
According to U.S. officials, the measure is aimed at limiting Iran’s access to international markets and restricting its ability to finance activities the United States views as destabilizing across the Middle East. The administration insists that continued trade with Iran weakens global efforts to rein in the country’s influence.
Critics argue that the order could strain diplomatic and economic relations with countries that maintain strategic trade links with Iran, particularly in Europe and Asia. There are also concerns that the move could undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts and heighten the risk of retaliation.
Iran has yet to issue an official response, but Tehran has previously described similar measures as economic coercion and violations of international trade norms.
As the order takes effect, attention will focus on how strictly the United States enforces the tariff threat and whether it will prompt counter-measures or renewed diplomatic standoffs.
The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja, has addressed public concerns following the death of Nigerian singer Ifunanya Lucy Nwagene, who died from a snake bite on January 31, 2026.
In a statement, the hospital confirmed that Nwagene was admitted with severe neurotoxic complications from the bite.
She received immediate medical care, including administration of polyvalent anti-snake venom. Despite the efforts of the medical team, her condition worsened, and she tragically passed away.
FMC Abuja denied allegations of negligence, emphasizing that their staff acted promptly and that all necessary treatments were available.
The hospital extended condolences to Nwagene’s family and urged the public to rely on verified information regarding the incident.
Nwagene, 26, known for her participation in The Voice Nigeria and her powerful vocals, has received an outpouring of tributes since her passing.
Her death has also reignited discussions about the accessibility and responsiveness of emergency healthcare services in Nigeria.