A copy of the Committee’s letter, with Reference Number: CCMDs/MDs/HMH/02/016, was dated April 4, 2016. It was addressed to Adewole and signed by Dr. Thomas U. Agan and Dr. Jafaru Momoh, the Chairman and Secretary of the Committee of CMDs/MDs. The letter specifically urged the minister to maintain status quo over the tenure of the CEOs. They made three recommendations to the minister as a way out of the crisis.

 

First, the Committee said: “We urge the Honourable Minister to stick to the existing policy until a new policy is approved.” The second was: “We urge the Honourable Minister to process all existing applications for renewal for a second tenure for Chief Medical Directors/Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospital as in the existing policy.” The third was given as “The proposed new policy should not take retrospective effect.”

The heads of parastatals are ordinarily entitled to four years in office renewable at the end for a second term if not found wanting.

 

Reports however emerged late last week that Adewole had begun implementing a five-year single tenure for heads of parastatals under his ministry. At least names of 18 heads of parastatals whose four-year tenures are due to expire this year have been compiled, it was learnt. Tension enveloped the ministry when reports emerged that though these heads are entitled to a second term of four years, those who applied for renewal are being told that due to the new reform, indicating the five-year single term proposal, such heads who applied for renewal should hand over to the next most senior officer.

 

All attempts by the stakeholders to make the minister see the need to maintain status quo pending the approval of the proposal was said to have been resisted. In the letter to the Minister of Health, titled: “Proposed New Policy On Tenure of CMDs/MDs of Federal Tertiary Hospitals Under The Federal Ministry Of Health,” the CMDs/MDs said: “We are constrained to bring to your attention the observation of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors/Medical Directors on the proposed new policy on the tenure of Chief Medical Directors/Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Health and solicit your kind intervention.

 

“During our recent meeting in which you were in attendance, your good self, informed us of the intention of the Federal Ministry of Health to change the policy of four (4) years renewable tenure of the Chief Executives to a Five(5) years(sic) single tenure. “Sir, while we are not against policy overhaul by the Government, especially if it will enhance performance, ensure stability in the health sector and improve quality of health care service provided, we are however worried by the procedure of overhauling and implementing such policy. We consider a situation where existing policy is suspended for a new policy that is expected to come into place as preemptive.

 

“Some of our colleagues who have completed their first tenure for over six months now and had applied for renewal as obtained under the existing policy have been kept in limbo,thus creating a dangerous state of suspense. We consider not treating the applications of such Chief Medical Officers by relying on a policy that is yet to exist as unfair.

 

“It is our collective belief that an existing policy must give way only if a new policy has come into effect and such new policies should not be retrospective in taking effect as this is the only way institutional stability and continuity can be guaranteed.”