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FG moves to halt doctors’ strike, writes ministries
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has written to the Ministries of Education, Finance, Labour and Employment regarding the demands of the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria.
The MDCAN had issued a 21-day ultimatum from October 21 to November 11, to stakeholders, including the Federal Government, to address its demands, or its members will withdraw their services nationwide.
The association expressed concerns regarding the exclusion of medical and dental lecturers based on the criteria used in the appointment for the selection process for the office of the Vice-Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.
It also demands the harmonisation of the retirement age of medical and dental consultants to 70 years to mitigate the effects of doctors’ migration; and the payment of the emoluments of medical lecturers with Consolidated Medical Salary Structure to correct the shortfalls in their emolument, entry level, and their pension.
Speaking with our correspondent on the update of the meeting held with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and other stakeholders on Thursday, the National President of MDCAN, Prof Muhammad Muhammad said plans were underway to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the government regarding the association’s demands.
“We had a meeting with the Ministry of Health, the Minister of Labour, the National Salaries, Incomes & Wages Commission, and some other stakeholders that have to do with the negotiations; but the Ministry of Education was not present.
“We discussed the issues raised one after the other, and we had some areas of disagreements, and then we’ve charted a way forward for the areas that we agreed. Presently, the Minister of Health is writing to the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Labour on some of the issues that they need to handle.
“So, we are waiting for both the resolution of the meeting, and then the letters. Currently, the file is in his office. We are waiting to collect our own copy. The minister is writing to the Ministry of Education regarding the issue of disenfranchisement. He is writing to the Head of Service regarding the issue of harmonisation, and we want him to help us take the issue to the Federal Executive Council, at least, that probably will make it easier to get approval so we can begin the footwork,” Muhammad stated.
The don noted that the request on the payment of the emoluments of medical lecturers with Consolidated Medical Salary Structure is beyond the Ministry of Health, but it is writing to the Secretary of the Government of the Federation for the necessary action.
“Once we get our copies of the letters, we will take them to our members at the emergency meeting on Monday. If it is acceptable to the members, fine, but if it is not, then we now push ahead with the decision from us,” he added.
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See Photos of World’s Tallest and Shortest Women Meet for Afternoon Tea in London
The world’s tallest woman and the world’s shortest woman met for the first time this week, sipping tea from china cups — and bonding over what they have in common while celebrating their differences.
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
Rumeysa Gelgi, from Turkey, stands at 7 feet and 0.7 inches, while Jyoti Amge, from India, is 2 feet and 0.7 inches.
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
“You’re so beautiful,” said Gelgi, 27. “Thank you — you too,” replied Amge, 30.
Their meeting, over afternoon tea at London’s Savoy Hotel on Tuesday, came ahead of Guinness World Records Day, which is held annually in November to mark record-breaking achievements and encourage people to attempt records. The pair have been honored as “World Record icons” in the 70th anniversary edition of the Guinness World Records book.
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“Meeting Jyoti for the first time was wonderful,” Gelgi said in a release Wednesday. “She’s the most gorgeous lady. I was waiting to meet her for a long time.”
Gelgi said the pair bonded over their love for makeup, jewelry and doing their nails.
Video footage showed them sitting down for tea, cakes and sandwiches stacked next to them, with the London Eye visible from the window.
Amge said in the release that she was “so happy to look up” and see the world’s tallest woman, whom she called “good-natured.” She added that it was difficult at times for the pair to make eye contact “due to our height difference.”
“Guinness World Records is all about celebrating differences,” its editor in chief, Craig Glenday, said in a statement ahead of Guinness World Record Day, which is on Thursday.
“By bringing together these two amazing, iconic women, they can share their perspectives on life with each other and, also, with us,” Glenday said.
Gelgi’s record-breaking height is due to a rare genetic condition called Weaver syndrome, which causes rapid growth, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders.
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The primary symptom is growth and bone development that occurs faster than usual, making those affected taller than average. People with Weaver syndrome may have rigid muscles and difficulty extending their elbows or knees.
Gelgi used a walking aid for support during the pair’s meeting. Her case of Weaver syndrome was the 27th ever diagnosed and the first in Turkey, according to Guinness World Records.
Weaver syndrome is generally caused by changes in the EZH2 gene, according to the NORD, though the organization notes that some people with Weaver syndrome do not have a mutation in the gene.
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Amge, an actor who played the character of Ma Petite in the television series “American Horror Story,” has a genetic growth disorder that occurs in the early stages of fetal development, known as achondroplasia.
According to Johns Hopkins, the condition causes shorter bones, abnormally shaped bones and shorter stature. While the genetic defect can be passed from parent to child, in about 80 percent of cases, achondroplasia results from a spontaneous mutation that occurs in the developing embryo.
On Thursday, Gelgi shared photos on Instagram of the two exploring London despite the cold weather, posing side by side in front of Tower Bridge.
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