MBBS holders should stop using the title “Doctor” – JOHESU
The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU)
Monday recommended that only doctorate
degree holders in the health sector should
exclusively use the title of doctor and not mere MBBS holders.
It called for the amendment of the Medical
and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to end
the use of the title of doctor for all
categories of medical practitioners.
This agitation, according to it, was because, in the health sector, doctor-based programmes are professional degrees and not doctorate.”
The JOHESU Stated this position in its
recommendations on the proposed MDCN Act
2020 submitted to the National Assembly, a
copy of the memo was made available to NIMEDHEALTH.
The body noted that the Ph.D. or Doctor of
Philosophy is the highest graduate degree
awarded by universities and în the most ideal
of situations remain the cadre that should
use the title Dr, exclusively”
In the recommendation J0HESU called for
the amendment of Section 42(1), which says
Subject to subsection (4) of this section, no
person other than a registered medical
practitioner shall (b) take or use the title of
physician, Surgeon, doctor or licentiate of
medicine, medical practitioner, or
apothecary
Also sector 42 (2) said, “Subject to section
(4) of this section no person other than a
registered dental surgeon shall (b) take or
use the title of a dental surgeon doctor,
dentist, dental officer or dental
practitioner.”
But JOHESU is seeking the amendment of
section 42 (1) b to read (b) “take or use the
title of physician, Surgeon or licentiate of
medicine or medical practitioner.”
It also wants section 42(2) b to read, “Take
or use the title of a dental surgeon, dentist,
dental officer or dental practitioner.”
Nimedhealth reports that if the
recommendation is approved, the title of
doctor for all medical practitioners would be
abolished while only those who have bagged
doctorate în their respective disciplines
would be addressed as ‘Doctor”.
If this agitation scales through, Nigeria will be the first country in the world where MBBS holders are not called doctors…JOHESU may as well send a proposed title for MBBS holders to the National Assembly for possible ratification.
Nimedhealth.com.ng
This is what my Yoruba people called “airikansekan”
Madnesses don de catch JOHESU
Probably, people who could not study medicine now want to carry their grievances too far.
What title did they suggest for medical practitioners? The world has always had academic doctors (PhD) and medical doctors. They should rather advised the PhD holders to put PhD after their names.
And those with MD degrees where will JOHESU classify them? They should also change the dictionary meaning of the title of a doctor.
My recommendation: Nomenclature is not the major issue in Nigeria now. It is insecurity. JOHESU should scratch their heads and come up with a solution, instead.