The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria Medical Association

  • Kogi approves immediate recruitment of doctors

    Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi has granted express approval to the Governing Boards of Kogi State Hospitals Management Board (KSHMB) and Kogi Specialist Hospital, Lokoja (KSSH) to employ more doctors.

    Dr Haruna Saka, Kogi Commissioner for Health, disclosed this on Friday in Lokoja while reacting to the exit of some doctors from the state’s civil service over the past three years.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) on Monday called on the governor to reverse the ‘current internal drift’ of doctors and other healthcare workers in the state.

    The Kogi NMA Chairman, Dr Kabiru Zubair, said over 88 medical doctors had left the state public service under the current administration.

    The commissioner however said that the doctors left because they secured Post Graduate training in Federal Government’s teaching hospitals, adding that the bulk of them were those recently employed by the state.

    “Majority of them had passed the primary examination of the National Postgraduate Medical College and West African Postgraduate College.

    “So ab initio, we never expected them to stay for long before commencing their training.

    “It has been a recurring trend to see doctors leave state public service once federal government opportunity presents itself such as lift of ban on employment of resident doctors.

    “Doctors who have intention of undergoing postgraduate training usually migrate towards federal service because till date, only very few states have the capacity to train resident doctors.

    “To make working condition conducive for doctors in Kogi, the government has taken further measures by giving approval to the state specialist hospital to commence internship training for doctors.

    “The specialist hospital will also acquire capacity to train Resident Doctors with immediate effect,” Saka said.

    The commissioner added that the governor had also approved welfare packages for new doctors, including interest free loan facilities to help them acclimatise when they come in.

    He further said that the governor had approved an arrangement for doctors in federal institutions in Kogi to also provide services in state health facilities that were understaffed.

  • 88 doctors quit civil service – NMA

    The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has called on Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi to reverse the ‘current internal drift’ of doctors and other healthcare workers in the state.

    The association made the appeal in a statement issued to newsmen in Lokoja on Monday by the state NMA Chairman, Dr Kabiru Zubair.

    This followed the exit of 88 medical doctors from the state public service.

    The association however felicitated with the governor on the celebration of his third year anniversary in office and for making healthcare one of his five thematic areas.

    According to Zubair, “Under this administration, a total of 88 doctors have left the Kogi Civil Service; previously, 79 doctors left plus another nine who had succeeded in securing new employment recently.

    “Doctors and other healthcare workers remained the drivers of healthcare delivery anywhere in the world.
    “Steps such as the payment of outstanding salary arrears of doctors and other healthcare workers, implementation of the corrected CONMESS, promotion and annual step increment, among others, are needed to reverse this unfortunate trend.

    Read Also: LASUTH resident doctors begin warning strike Jan 28

    “As you commence your fourth year in office, the NMA as the custodian of the health of the people is ready and willing to partner with state government to improve the health sector in Kogi.’’

    Zubair said that the association equally felicitated with the Deputy Governor, the SSG, the Chief of Staff, Commissioner for Health, Special Adviser on Health Matters and the entire cabinet members for sustaining the progress made thus far.

    NAN recalls that Bello was sworn-in as the fourth civilian governor of Kogi by the satte Chief Judge, Justice Nasir Ajanah, on Jan. 27, 2016.

    Zubair, however, commended the state government and Bello for some positive steps the government had taken in repositioning the health sector in the state.

  • Medical doctor in Abia protest kidnap of colleague

    Members of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Umuahia zone have protested in Umuahia, the Abia State capital over the kidnap of one of their colleagues, Dr. Innocent Iwuegbu who was reportedly abducted on Monday on his way to the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.

    The protesting doctors bearing placards with inscriptions “Are our doctors still safe?, Release the kidnapped doctor, now!!!, Abia State now unsafe for medical doctors, Doctors are no longer safe in the society (Umuahia), We demand for immediate, safe release of the kidnapped doctor among others feared that medical doctors have become endangered species in the hands of gunmen and kidnappers.

    They also feared that if nothing was urgently done to make the state conducive for them to carry out their duties of saving lives of patients the health institution would suffer greatly against the efforts of the governor whose desire was for Abians to have better and quality health services in the state.

    Speaking on behalf of the protesting doctors at the entrance of the Abia state Government House, Dr Ukpabi Ogba demanded the immediate and unconditional release of their colleague as well to ensure the safety of medical doctors who work to ensure the health of Abians.

    Dr. Ogba said “we are here to intimate the government of Abia state that one of our members was kidnapped two days ago. He left his house and was heading to FMC for his usual duties and some hoodlums who have not been identified captured him.

    Read Also: Why Abia monarchs give Ganduje chieftaincy title

    “Information we heard after they opened communication with the wife was that our colleague was being tortured and that the kidnappers are asking a ransom that is way outside the reach of the family. So that is why we have come to complain to the government that we feel unsafe, that if nothing is quickly done about it, it may claim the life of our colleague and our own lives are not also safe.”

    Responding, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the governor, Ukpai Agwu Ukpai who represented Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, frowned at the criminal act and assured that government will swing into action immediately to ensure the safe return of the abducted doctor.

    According to Ukpai, “I have seen some of your placards which is quite clear that a doctor was kidnapped. It is quite sad that someone who is on essential duty who leaves his family every day to attend to attend to citizen of this country can be treated the way things our doctor has been treated

    “The primary duty of government everywhere in the world is safety of lives and property, therefore I want to ask that your complaint is received, the governor will hear, you go back to your place of work as a drastic action would be taken to ensure an unconditional release of this our doctor.

    “What happened is very unfortunate and the government is not happy about that. That is why everything the government is doing is to make sure that the state is safe for everybody, both those who are working and those who are doing business in Abia state. I want to assure you that our brother will be released soonest.

    “As soon as I leave here, I will reach out to the wife of the doctor who the kidnappers have opened communication with and see how to key into the discussion to ensure the immediate release of this our brother and colleague.”

     

  • Medical doctors raise alarm over increasing quackery in Cross River

    The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in Cross River State has raised an alarm over the increasing number of quack doctors in the state.

    Chairman of the Association in the state, Dr Effiong Mkpanam, raised the alarm during the 2018 Annual General Meeting/Scientific Conference of the association in Calabar, which had as its theme “Impact of Economic and Security Challenges on Nigeria Health Sector.

    Mkpanam said that medical quackery in Cross River was assuming an embarrassing dimension, hence the need to curb the menace.

    He said that the NMA has invested in anti-quackery measures with a view to help fight the menace.

    The Chairman said that medical doctors now use the ‘Doctors Stamp’ which took effect in 2015 as a way to curb quackery in the health sector.

    Read Also: Ayade vows to rid Cross River of crimes, seeks FG’s support

    “Quackery in Cross River is assuming another embarrassing dimension. Henceforth, all reports from doctors must carry this customized stamp which carries the doctor’s name, institution attended, the Medical registration and folio number. This stamp has been approved by government and is widely accepted”, he said.

    He urged Governor Ben Ayade to employ more consultants, nurses and medical officers into the state health sector and also upgrade health facilities across the state.

    The Keynote Speaker, Prof. Rowland Ndoma-Egba, who spoke on the conference theme, said that the issue of infrastructure in hospitals was relatively low.

    Ndoma-Egba, a former Chief Medical Director of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, said that it was time for government at all level to invest massively in the health sector.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health Insurance, Mr Godwin Iyala, said that the agency was collaborating with the NMA to deliver quality health service to residents in the state.

  • Ondo advises civil servants to plan well for retirement

    The Ondo State Government on Monday advised civil servants in the state to be proactive and plan well for their retirement from service.

    Mr Toyin Akinkuotu, the State Head of Service, (HoS) gave the advice in Akure at a retirement ceremony organised for Dr Taiye Oni, the Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Health.

    Akinkuotu noted that when there was a solid plan, retirement would not be boring to retirees but enjoyable.

    “As civil servants, we should be thinking of what to do after the service.

    “We must keep going and be active always so that we can find life enjoyable,” he said.

    The HoS described the retired permanent secretary as an honest man and a man of excellence qualities, who had served meritoriously having reached 60 years of age.

    Dr Dayo Adeyanju, the immediate past Commissioner for Health in the state, while also extolling the virtues of Oni, said that the officer was tolerant to a fault.

    Read Also: Ondo gets task force on forest reserve

    Adeyanju advised civil servants to shun poor preparation that could lead to loneliness, sickness and untimely death.

    Also, Dr Wahab Adegbenro, the state Commissioner for Health, said that the retiring officer was a man of peace, who had served without blemish.

    Similarly, Bishop Felix Adejumo of Agape Ministries International, Akure, also described him as a mentor, a good leader that was worthy of emulation.

    Adejumo urged civil servants to always be accountable to their superiors and God, and also support the development of the state.

    Dr Felix Olawoye, the Principal of Ondo State School of Health Technology, described Oni as a destiny helper, a facilitator of good things, who believed in solving challenges with peaceful approach.

    Dr Dolani Gbelela, the state Chairman of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) said that the ministry would miss Dr Oni because “he is a man that calms tension down to give way for peace.’’

    Responding, Oni described civil service to be full of ups and downs, thanking God who made it possible for him to scale through all the challenges.

    He advised civil servants to get prepared for their retirement, saying it would surely come.

    Dr Taiye Oni was born on June 4, 1958, had his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at University of Ilorin in 1983 and joined the service of the Ondo State in 1987.

    NAN

  • FIFA appoints Nigerian medical doctor Doping Control Officer

    A former medical doctor in the Nigerian U-17 football team, Dr Ayodeji Olarinoye, has been appointed Doping Control Officer ( DCO ) by the world soccer governing body, FIFA.

    Olarinoye, who graduated from the University of Ilorin, is now the country’s first FIFA doping control officer, the university’s weekly bulletin said on Tuesday.

    According to the publication, Olarinoye is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine and British Association of Sports and Exercise Medicine.

    The publication said the medical doctor would join the network of FIFA medical officers, responsible for ensuring safe and healthy participation in football after attending several anti-doping training.

    Read Also: W/cup Tickets: FIFA warn fans on security features

    The bulletin recalled that the 38-year-old was nicknamed NFA ( Nigeria Football Association ) during his undergraduate years due to his love for football.

    “The 38-year-old Ayodeji is the son of a retired civil servant and former Head of the International Department of the Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF ) in the 1990s, Dr Steve Olarinoye.

    “Dr Olarinoye was honoured in 2015 by the Nigeria Medical Association ( NMA ) for his dedication to duty and special interest in the field of Sports Medicine.

    “He is currently running a programme in Sports and Exercise Medicine in Cardiff, U.K., the bulletin said of the doctor who hails from Omupo in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara.

    NAN

  • Obaseki to NMA: Be patient

    Edo Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has told the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) that ‘hasty and tokenistic efforts cannot produce the high standard of healthcare he envisioned for Edo people.’

    Governor Obaseki was reacting to the 21 days ultimatum issued by the NMA for him to fix the state health sector of face indefinite strike action.

    Obaseki who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said he is adopting a holistic approach to the reform of the health sector in the state.

    He said plans have been made and partners were being sourced, and in good time the results would manifest.

  • NMA issues fresh 21-days ultimatum to Obaseki

     

    The Nigeria Medical Association has issued a 21-day ultimatum to Governor Godwin Obaseki to resolve issues in the state’s health sector or face indefinite strike action.

    It said the dispute with the Edo State Government bothered on what it termed deplorable state of health sector in the state.

    The NMA had on March embarked on five days warning strike which ended on March 11.

    State Chairman of NMA, Dr. Osaigbovo Emmanuel, who spoke at a press briefing in Benin City, expressed dissatisfaction with the manner the state government handled negotiation with the body over the past one year.

    Dr. Osaigbovo said the indefinite strike action would commence on April 1st and that doctors in private practice might be asked to join in the strike action.

    Osaigbovo listed the demands of the NMA to include immediate revamping of the health sector, addressing the total decay of infrastructure fixed and movable and employment of more doctors.

    Read Also: Obaseki preaches cordial farmer/herder relations

    He said some hospitals in the state have no doctor as only 180 doctors are spread across the 34 general hospitals in the state.

    Dr. Osaigbovo stated that what is worrisome is that all the committees set up to look into ways of fixing the health sector have submitted reports but the state government appeared to have jettison the reports.

    According to him, “The morale of doctors are very low and made worse by the fact that there are inadequate facilities as well as poor working environment.

    “Doctors employed into the state hospitals are the least paid in the country due to non-implementation of the appropriate salary scale approved for doctors nationwide. This has led to continuous drain of doctors from the state hospitals. They have become endangered species because they are far behind their counter-parts in other states.

    Dr. Osaigbovo appealed to religious leaders, traditional rulers and politicians to urge Governor Obaseki to address agitations faced by doctors in the state.

     

  • NMA in Bayelsa pledges affordable, accessible healthcare service

    The Bayelsa Chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) on Wednesday said it would provide accessible and affordable healthcare delivery   to people of the state.

    Dr Keme Pondei, the NMA Chairman, made the pledge in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa.

    Pondei said: “In spite of the prevailing economic situation in the country, we have carried out a medical outreach at Sagbama Town, in Sagbama Local Government Area.

    “We also, this week provided free healthcare services to rural dwellers in form of medical outreach to other parts of the state.’’

    He said the association was not partisan and devoted to the welfare of every Nigerian.

    “We are partners in progress with the Bayelsa Government and we have hands of friendship with them.

    “We pray that as partners in progress, government and NMA will partner to review the healthcare system in the state.

    “There is need to urgently pass the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (SPHCDA) Bill before the Bayelsa State House of Assembly,’’ Pondei said.

    He commended the state government for reviving the Bayelsa Health Insurance Scheme, saying that steps should be taken to join the National Health Insurance Scheme to achieve universal health insurance cover.

    Pondei said the association had met all its obligations in terms of meetings at the state, zonal and national levels, in spite of the drastic drop in its income.

    The NMA chairman said members of the association   were not just hardworking medical practitioners, but excellent sportsmen.

    He said the association came first at the Zonal NMA Games in Calabar in November 2016, and contributed almost half of the South-South contingents.

  • NMA, Saraki’s wife mourn Osotimehin

    NMA, Saraki’s wife mourn Osotimehin

    The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) and wife of the Senate President, Toyin Saraki, on Tuesday described the death of Executive Director of  the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin, as a monumental loss.

    NMA has also opened a condolence register for the former minister of health who died on Sunday.

    A statement signed by Prof. Mike Ogirima and Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununus, the NMA President and Secretary respectively,  said the deceased would be missed for his innovative thinking.

    The statement reads: “More importantly, the late Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin would be missed for his innovative thinking, strategic engagement and passionate delivery of his several life’s goals including protecting the rights to health of women and girls especially in family planning and population matters. Strategic planning and effective program implementation to deliver on health outcomes leading to the production and implementation of the 1st ever National Strategic Health Development Plan 2009-2015. Harmonious industrial relationships in the public health sector and improved conditions of service leading to approval and implementation of special salary systems for all health workers in 2009 and virile pro-development and non-combative medical activism.

    “In consideration of the life achievements of the great son of Africa, the Nigeria Medical Association on Tuesday April 18, 2017, honored him in a well-attended occasion in Abuja with the award of NMA GLOBAL HEALTH AMBASSADOR. His keynote address and acceptance speech clearly enunciated his vision and expectation of partnerships that make the world a better place to live through accountable and reproductive health outcomes.

    “We did not know that will be his last official engagement with NMA. We lament that his dreams of aligning UNPFA activities to the implementation of the NMA strategic plan 2017-2022 and commitment towards assisting NMA to meet the yearning aspirations of Nigerians may no longer be fulfilled.

    Saraki on her part said, “I have just learnt of the unbelievably sad news, that the global health community has lost my dear brother the Executive Director of UNFPA, Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin.

    “In all the time since I have known Prof. Babatunde, right from his time leading NACA, then as a health minister, and up until his term at UNFPA, I have always found him to be an indefatigably diplomatic and committed ally in our mutual goal of improving the conditions and outcomes of pregnant mothers, their newborns, children, adolescents, and their communities. This is indeed a shocking loss, and our hearts and prayers go out to the Osotimehin family, and the development family that is UNFPA. I offer my sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.”