Calabar, Nigeria — The University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) has introduced a mandatory accommodation fee of N200,000 for House Officers seeking housing in the hospital’s quarters, sparking significant backlash within the medical community. This fee, labeled an “Annual Maintenance Charge,” was announced in a statement from hospital management on October 14, 2024.
The decision has raised concerns among newly employed medical professionals, who argue that the fee imposes an undue financial burden at the start of their careers. Traditionally, accommodation in federal hospitals is provided as part of the employment package, and many see this new requirement as a departure from established practices.
In a statement shared on social media by the Nigerian Doctors Association, the group expressed that “it is unfair to ask new employees to cough up N200,000 before they have even earned a salary.” They proposed a system of monthly salary deductions to ease the financial strain, a request that was reportedly denied by UCTH management.
The hospital has clarified that payment of the fee is non-negotiable and must be completed within a strict 24-hour approval window to avoid being classified as unauthorized tenants. “Intending occupants must present evidence of payment to the Estate Unit,” the management stated, adding that failure to comply could lead to eviction.
This controversial policy has prompted calls for an investigation into whether the fee was sanctioned by the Federal Government or if it represents an isolated decision by the hospital’s administration. Medical professionals are urging key stakeholders, including the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Health, to review this policy and its implications for new doctors entering the workforce.
As this situation unfolds, it highlights broader concerns regarding the treatment of medical professionals in Nigeria and the need for supportive measures that facilitate rather than hinder their career beginnings.
