Reps Demand Probe As UCTH Boss Rejects Igbo House Doctors Over Tribe

By Linda Ike

House of Representatives has mandated an urgent investigation into University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Chief Medical Director Prof. Ikpeme A. Ikpeme for allegedly rejecting 17 Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (NMDC) approved house doctors, 15 of Igbo extraction over their ethnicity.Discrimination Allegations.

The explosive motion sponsored by Igariwey Enwo highlights Prof. Ikpeme’s refusal despite pleas from the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) UCTH branch and Nigerian Medical Association Cross River, violating Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution against tribal discrimination.

Lawmakers decried the act as deepening Nigeria’s doctor shortage , 40,000 vs. needed 300,000 and fueling brain drain amid ethnic tensions.

House mandated Health Institutions Committee to investigate within 4 weeks
Immediate suspension of Prof. Ikpeme demanded to prevent interference.

The motion brands his conduct “dangerous violation” that “fractures ethnic fault lines, leading to divisiveness, insecurity and instability.”