Reps Push for UCTH CMD Suspension Over Discrimination Allegations

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Urgent Call for Suspension of University of Calabar Teaching Hospital CMD

The House of Representatives has issued a strong call for the immediate suspension of the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Prof Ikpeme Ikpeme. This demand arises from serious allegations of ethnic discrimination in the recruitment of resident doctors at the federal tertiary health institution.

The motion, which was adopted on Thursday, was moved by Mr. Iduma Igariwey, the member representing Afikpo South/Afikpo North Federal Constituency in Ebonyi State. The motion highlighted the urgent public importance of the issue and raised concerns over the CMD’s alleged actions.

According to the lawmaker, media reports indicate that Prof Ikpeme rejected 17 newly graduated medical doctors who had been posted to UCTH by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) for their mandatory one-year housemanship. Of these 17 doctors, 15 are reportedly of Igbo origin. Despite interventions from the National Association of Resident Doctors, UCTH chapter, and the Nigerian Medical Association, Cross River State branch, the CMD allegedly refused to reverse his decision.

Mr. Igariwey stated that the CMD’s refusal was based on the high number of Igbo applicants. He warned that this action constitutes a violation of constitutional provisions that prohibit discrimination based on tribe or region.

“The House is alarmed that by rejecting a bona fide list of medical doctors sent to him by the regulatory body, on the grounds of tribe/region, Prof Ikpeme is in dangerous violation of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said. “This document seeks to protect citizens from discrimination on account of tribe and tongue.”

The lawmaker further expressed concern that the situation is exacerbating the already strained health sector in Nigeria. He pointed out that the country’s fragile healthcare system is facing a critical manpower deficit, with the number of licensed doctors dropping to about 40,000, far below the estimated 300,000 needed to adequately serve the population.

“We frown at 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,” he added.

The allegations against Prof Ikpeme come amid longstanding complaints by medical associations and civil society groups regarding perceived discriminatory practices in some federal institutions, particularly in recruitment and training placements. In the case of UCTH, reports suggest that the CMD rejected MDCN-posted doctors solely because they were predominantly Igbo, raising concerns about ethnic bias in a federally funded institution expected to reflect national diversity.

The controversy has drawn criticism from professional bodies, with stakeholders warning that selective acceptance of house officers based on ethnic considerations undermines merit, national cohesion, and the integrity of medical training in Nigeria.

Observers have also noted that such actions, if proven, could discourage young doctors from remaining in the country at a time when Nigeria is grappling with large-scale emigration of health professionals.

At the plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, lawmakers unanimously supported the motion, resolving that the CMD be suspended with immediate effect. The House stated the suspension was necessary “to ensure he does not interfere with the investigation to be conducted by the Committee on Health Institutions.”

The Committee was mandated to probe the allegations and report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.