INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME REMOVAL FROM THE CIVIL/PUBLIC SERVICE

The National Council on Establishments (NCE) at its 42nd meeting held from 30th November 4th December 2020 in Ikeja, Lagos State reviewed the current status of internship programmes/housemanship/NYSC Doctors in the Service and approved their removal from the Schemes of Service as posts attracting grade levels in the salary structure.

The Council based its decision on the grounds that the period of these programmes/services form part of the trainings in their respective professions.

Interns shall, however, be considered for the payment of allowance to be determined by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.

This approval will be reflected in a subsequent edition of the Schemes of Service.

Signed

Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan

Head of the Civil Service of the Federation”

This latest decision is not unrelated to the recent outcry, social media hashtags, and even open protests by house officers following the non-payment or half payment of their salaries after the centralisation by the medical and dental council of Nigeria (MDCN)…many health experts cited the lack of cooperation of the hospital CMDs with the MDCN as the cause of the sour development. In the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital and Jos University Teaching Hospital for example, house officers and other interns carrying banners, took to the premises of the management of the hospital to protest their financial hardship as a result of non-payment of their salaries.

Now that the FG has banned house officers from earning salaries, what does the future hold for young medical graduates and also interns of other health professionals?