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Tag: Nigerian Medical Association

  • Why health sector need urgent reforms in 2026, by NMA

    Why health sector need urgent reforms in 2026, by NMA

    Nigeria’s health sector recorded limited progress in 2025, with weak policy focus, persistent workforce crises, and poor financing continuing to undermine healthcare delivery, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State chapter, has said.

    In a year-end review of federal government health sector activities, the NMA Lagos chairman, Dr. Saheed Babajide Kehinde, in a statement issued on Sunday, described the performance of the sector as “highly unfortunate, unacceptable, and disappointing,” blaming what he called a lack of clear priorities by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and insufficient political attention to healthcare delivery.

    According to the association, the year was marked by an absence of decisive interventions to address the worsening “Japa syndrome”, the mass emigration of healthcare professionals, alongside poor remuneration, weak welfare packages, and inadequate training opportunities for health workers.

    Dr. Kehinde noted that industrial disputes dominated much of the year, with the Federal Government struggling to manage recurring strike actions by health sector unions and professional bodies. These disruptions, he said, repeatedly denied citizens access to essential healthcare services.

    He also faulted the ministry’s perceived emphasis on data collection, research, and engagement with international partners, arguing that this focus came at the expense of strengthening the core healthcare delivery system, particularly at the primary healthcare level.

    Nigeria’s health indices remained troubling in 2025, the NMA said, citing poor progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC), low health insurance penetration, and the rising cost of healthcare services. High prices of drugs, consumables, medical equipment, and diagnostic services have continued to place care beyond the reach of many Nigerians.

    Other persistent challenges highlighted in the review include poor budgetary allocation to the health sector, low healthcare financing, unreliable power supply to health institutions, and weak attention to primary healthcare, which is meant to serve as the foundation of the country’s health system.

    The association acknowledged modest gains in health infrastructure development, particularly in hospital buildings, but stressed that physical structures alone cannot deliver quality healthcare without adequate staffing, equipment, power supply, and sustainable financing.

    Looking ahead, the NMA Lagos outlined a comprehensive reform agenda it believes should define the federal government’s health priorities in 2026.

    Top of the list is the introduction of better living wages and improved remuneration for healthcare workers, alongside enhanced welfare packages aimed at retaining skilled professionals in the country.

    To curb the Japa syndrome, the association proposed a mix of incentives, including affordable housing and car loans, regular training and retraining, clear career progression pathways, access to modern equipment, overseas training opportunities, and more worker-friendly policies. It also called for a halt to assaults on healthcare workers and demanded non-taxable call duty allowances.

    On service delivery, the NMA urged the government to make healthcare more accessible, affordable, and qualitative by expanding UHC, reforming health insurance policies, and reducing the cost of care through lower tariffs on medical equipment and consumables, as well as price control measures on essential drugs.

    The association also renewed its call for the implementation of the extended retirement age for healthcare workers, stronger prioritisation of primary healthcare, and deeper collaboration between government and private hospitals to reduce mortality and improve access.

    Other recommendations include improving power supply to health institutions, reviewing health sector budgetary allocation from about six per cent to the 15 per cent target set under the Abuja Declaration, and ensuring transparency and efficiency in the use of health funds.

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    Dr. Kehinde further urged the Minister of Health to adopt a more inclusive and respectful approach to industrial relations, noting that unresolved strikes, such as those involving the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), have had severe consequences for patients.

    He also advocated the establishment of specialist hospitals across the six geopolitical zones, including infectious disease centres, and improved security and working conditions to reduce burnout and mental stress among healthcare workers.

    The 2025 review underscores long-standing structural challenges in Nigeria’s health sector and sets a clear benchmark for performance in 2026.

    For the federal government, health experts say the coming year will be a defining test of its willingness to move beyond policy rhetoric and deliver concrete reforms that place healthcare workers and patients at the centre of national development.

  • Fix healthcare from policy to patient, NMA tells Fed Govt

    Fix healthcare from policy to patient, NMA tells Fed Govt

    • Doctors demand urgent summit, better welfare, policy reforms

    The Lagos State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has urged the federal and state governments to fix Nigeria’s ailing health system “from policy to patient” to get good results.

    The umbrella doctors’ union warned that inefficiency, poor funding, and neglect have continued to cripple service delivery across the healthcare value chain.

    The union’s State Chairman, Dr. Babajide Kehinde Saheed, gave the warning while addressing reporters yesterday in Lagos to mark the commencement of the 2025 Physicians’ Week at the NMA Lagos secretariat in Surulere.

    Saheed said this year’s theme: Healthcare as a Value Chain: Building Efficiency from Policy to Patient, reflected the urgent need to strengthen every level of the healthcare delivery process – from policy formulation to patient care.

    “The healthcare value chain connects all processes that create value for patients, providers, and policymakers. Yet, we continue to experience inefficiencies at almost every level,” he said.

    “We need a strong political will, sustainable health financing, local drug manufacturing, and policies that reward performance and retention.”

    Saheed noted that despite Nigeria’s numerous health sector policies and reforms, the system has remained burdened by brain drain, poor welfare of healthcare workers, dependence on imported drugs and medical supplies, weak infrastructure, and inadequate funding that still falls below the 15 per cent Abuja Declaration target.

    The union leader urged the federal and state governments to convene urgent health sector summits to review and align existing policies to current realities.

    He said this would ensure that health workers are adequately compensated and motivated to deliver quality services.

    The NMA also urged both the federal and state governments to improve remuneration and working conditions for doctors and other healthcare professionals to boost their morale and stem the ongoing brain drain.

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    It called for the full payment of outstanding skipping arrears and the provision of call-duty meals in tertiary hospitals to enhance staff welfare and productivity.

    The NMA branch called for a review of the 2006 Lagos State Health Sector Reform Law to address present-day challenges and realities in the health system.

    The association further demanded the implementation of structured two-term tenures for Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors to promote leadership stability and continuity in hospital administration.

    It also urged the government to protect salary relativity across health cadres and reverse the recent pay reductions affecting doctors in Lagos, warning that such policies could further demotivate health workers and worsen the exodus of medical professionals from the country.

    Saheed noted that the continued exodus of skilled health workers to other countries poses a major threat to Nigeria’s health security and urged the government to prioritise the welfare of medical professionals to stem the tide.

    “Our doctors are leaving in large numbers because they no longer see a future here. Without motivated and adequately supported personnel, no health system can thrive,” he warned.

    This year’s event also features a sub-theme, “AI Ethics and the Physician’s Role in Modern Healthcare,” to be led by Dr. Arogundade, President of the Society for Telemedicine and e-Health in Nigeria, and Dr. Achese Inimgba, founder of Medienna.

    According to Saheed, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare globally but presents significant ethical challenges , including fairness, privacy, transparency, and accountability, particularly in developing nations like Nigeria, where expertise and regulatory frameworks are limited.

    “Physicians must become AI literate and interpret algorithmic outputs responsibly,” he said. “Technology must support, not replace, human judgment in patient care.”

    The 2025 Physicians’ Week, which began with a Thanksgiving Service at the Chapel of Saint Luke the Physician, LASUTH, Ikeja, brings together doctors, policymakers, regulators, and partners to reflect on the state of healthcare in Lagos and Nigeria.

    The opening ceremony and scientific conference will be chaired by Dr. Adeleke Pitan, former Lagos Commissioner for Health and Education, while the keynote address will be delivered by Professor Akin Osibogun, former Chief Medical Director of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and past President of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.

    Reaffirming NMA Lagos’ commitment to promoting the welfare of doctors and improving healthcare delivery, Saheed urged governments at all levels to prioritise health financing, expand insurance coverage, and invest in infrastructure and training.

     “It is only through coherent policies and responsible implementation that we can truly build efficiency from policy to patient,” he added.

  • Lagos NMA hails CMD’s resilience after fire

    Lagos NMA hails CMD’s resilience after fire

    Lagos State branch of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has hailed the resilience of Chief Medical Director of Ago Medical Center, Dr Kola Afolabi .

    The commendation followed the fire that razed his hospital facility some months ago.

    NMA members were excited with recovery of the facility.

    They visited Dr Afolabi in the new facility.

    Led by Chairman, Dr. Babajide Saheed, the delegation, including past leaders, said Afolabi was “an icon of the medical profession,” whose ability to rebuild in a short period despite the harsh reality was commendation.

    Saheed noted that the visit was necessitated by the association’s duty to stand with members in distress, especially when such challenges affect their practice and livelihood.

    “We must support our members whenever they are psychologically, financially, or professionally affected. When I heard of the fire that consumed the former hospital and saw that Dr. Afolabi and his wife had, in months, built a new facility, we decided to come and congratulate them and thank God for making this possible. It is not easy to lose a hospital to fire and rebuild so quickly in this economy,” Saheed said.

    He added that the coming AGM will intensify discussions on insurance and safety nets for doctors, particularly those with private hospitals.

    According to him, the body is considering a Welfare Trust Fund to encourage members to embrace indemnity and property insurance package. “It is important for practitioners to have both, given risks associated with the profession,” he noted.

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    Former chair, Dr. Tope Ojo, said the visit was a congratulatory and symbolic gesture.

    He said Afolabi had served the medical community for decades, earning goodwill that enabled him bounce back after the fire.

    “The incident was tragic, but thankfully no life was lost. Within a short while, he was able to recover, largely due to the goodwill he has built with patients and colleagues over the years. Today’s visit is to celebrate him and to assure him that the association stands by him,” Ojo stated.

    He stressed that the experience should serve as a lesson for other medical practitioners to insure not just their facilities but also their equipment and staff. “Life insurance, property insurance, and indemnity cover should be encouraged. That way, when disasters occur, insurance companies will be compelled to pay damages promptly,” he added.

    In his response, Dr. Afolabi expressed gratitude for the outpouring of solidarity from colleagues, describing it as “overwhelming.”

    “I never expected this magnitude of support. Almost all the executives of Lagos NMA and some national officers came. I am very appreciative and deeply humbled,” he said.

    He explained that the fire incident was caused by an electrical surge, but added that the new facility had been fitted with a fire detection system to prevent a recurrence. He confirmed that his new facility is also insured.

    Despite the setback, Dr. Afolabi said the fire incident had accelerated his expansion plans. “I had always planned to move into a bigger facility. Though painful, God made a way for us to acquire this place. We are now waiting for our insurance claims to come through so we can further develop the old site,” he said.

    The solidarity visit underscored the NMA’s commitment to the welfare of its members and renewed calls for stronger risk management practices in Nigeria’s health sector.

  • Plan early for life after service, Prof Otolorin urges medical practitioners

    Plan early for life after service, Prof Otolorin urges medical practitioners

    A Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Emmanuel Otolorin, has advised medical practitioners, particularly doctors, to begin planning early for retirement to avoid financial hardship and loss of purpose after active service.

    Delivering a lecture at the Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Oyo State branch, Prof. Otolorin stressed the importance of proactive financial and personal planning beyond the medical profession.

    Speaking on the theme, “After the Final Rounds: Finding Fulfilment Post-Retirement,” he noted that the country’s economic challenges have made salaries insufficient, thereby increasing the need for doctors to secure their future early.

    He urged doctors not to wait until the last minute to plan, recommending investments in areas such as farming, fishery, real estate, and stocks as sustainable options to generate income and ensure a fulfilling retirement.

    He said, “The thrust of this lecture is to tell my colleagues that they should not wait to start planning when it is very late.

    “Don’t be a last-minute dot-com kind of planner. You should start very early. And don’t rely on Nigeria’s pension scheme. The money is very small. The salary that doctors get in this country is very small. The pension, therefore, is very small, and you cannot sustain yourself.

    “When you are in service, you do many other things. You consult here and there. You give lectures or you do some other stuff that keeps you going. Now, you must make sure that you prepare for retirement. You must calculate how much you will need to live a decent life without lowering the quality of your life.

    “Once you know that, you will remove the pension. Then you have to invest in other means of income. It could be stocks, it could be agriculture, it could be fish farming, it could be anything. But just make sure you have a plan.

    “Do not rely on children to take care of you. It doesn’t work that way anymore. The children of these days have numerous problems, and parents are even helping them to solve some of those problems. So you have to prepare yourself.

    “Real estate, land speculation, these are long-term investments that are proving to be very, very useful, and inheritance. Many of us are beneficiaries of an inheritance from our parents. You should do the same for your own children by investing while you still have the energy”, Prof Otolorin said.

    He also advised medical practitioners not to neglect their health while attending to other people’s well-being.

    He urged them to be humble and conscientious enough to seek medical help from their colleagues and go for a routine medical checkup.

    “Be conscientious and humble enough to go for routine medical checkups. Just do what you preach.

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    “We preach to the general public that they should go for routine medical checkups. We should do the same before retirement and after retirement”, he concluded.

    Speaking to newsmen, the Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association, Oyo State Branch, Mr Happy Abiodun, noted that the theme is aimed at sensitising young medical practitioners on the need for early preparation for retirement.

    He said retirement is an issue that sends shivers down the spine of people, and doctors are not excluded, thus, the need to enlighten members of the association on the benefits of preparing early for retirement and some of the things they can invest in while they are still in active service.

    The highlights of the event were the presentation of awards to the lecturer, Prof Emmanuel Otolorin and the Chairman of the event and President, Centre for Palliative Care, Nigeria, Prof. Olaitan Soyannwo.

  • JUST IN: Doctors threaten nationwide strike over unresolved demands

    JUST IN: Doctors threaten nationwide strike over unresolved demands

    …as NMA warns FG against system collapse

    Medical services across Nigeria may face a total shutdown by Thursday as the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has threatened to begin a nationwide strike if the federal government fails to meet its demands before the expiration of its 21-day ultimatum.

    The association, which represents doctors nationwide, issued the warning over unresolved issues surrounding remuneration and welfare.

    NMA President, Prof. Bala Audu, stated that the association would be left with no option but to withdraw services if its demands are not met by July 23.

    He specifically condemned a recent circular issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, describing it as a violation of previously agreed terms concerning allowances for medical and dental officers.

    “We have rejected that circular outright,” Audu declared. “We expect that any new directive affecting our members should result from mutual consultation, not unilateral imposition.”

    He emphasized that the unresolved issues are critical to the survival of the already strained healthcare system in Nigeria and require urgent government attention.

    Audu further disclosed that although the NMA has held meetings with senior government officials, including the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, and the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, no meaningful resolution has been reached.

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    He warned that the government’s continued delay could plunge the country’s health sector into crisis if immediate steps are not taken to avert the looming strike.

    “The last meeting held two weeks ago included all relevant stakeholders—the Health Ministers, Permanent Secretary, Director of Hospital Services, and a representative from the Ministry of Labour,” he said.

    “We were meant to reconvene last week, but the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari disrupted the schedule.”

    Audu explained that the next meeting is expected to involve the Ministry of Finance and the Salaries and Wages Commission whose circular triggered the protest, as well as officials from the Ministry of Health.

    With the July 23 deadline fast approaching, the NMA has urged the Federal Government to take the matter seriously and act swiftly to prevent avoidable disruptions to healthcare services across the country.

    “We are running out of time. If we don’t meet within the next few days and resolve these critical issues, industrial action may be inevitable,” Audu warned.

    He added that doctors are not eager to abandon their posts, but would not allow government policies to undermine their welfare and the quality of healthcare delivery in the country.

    The NMA had on July 2 given the Federal Government a 21-day ultimatum to withdraw the disputed circular and address other pressing demands, failing which it would initiate a nationwide strike.

  • NMA laments increasing demand for doctors’ services amidst brain drain

    NMA laments increasing demand for doctors’ services amidst brain drain

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has lamented the increasing demand for medical doctors’ services in the country amidst the current brain drain syndrome.

    The NMA President, Prof. Bala Muhammad-Audu, raised the alarm while reading a communiqué at the end of its Annual Delegates Conference and General Meeting, 2025, held in Katsina State.

    The conference was themed: ‘The Universal Applicability of Care Standards for Patients and the Well-being of Health Care Providers’.

    “Population is increasing, demand on individual doctors also increasing, while the doctors are leaving the country for greener pastures.15,000 doctors had left the country for greener pastures abroad in the last five years,” Muhammad-Audu said.

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    The president revealed that the standard ratio of doctor-patients was 1:600, adding,”but due to the continuous exodus of the medical doctors, the ratio has risen tremendously.

    “If you divide the estimated population of 240 million by the number of practicing doctors, which is 30,000, it will give you the doctor-patients ratio of 1:8000.”

    According to him, Nigeria is among the countries with the best trained doctors, where even America, UK and Saudi Arabia, among other countries, purposely come to Nigeria to recruit doctors.

    “There are difficulties pushing the doctors to leave the country, one of which is poor working condition and remuneration.

    “Here we are calling for the payment of seven months outstanding arrears and the consequential adjustments to doctors working in federal tertiary health institutions,” he said.

    Muhammad-Audu further said that the NMA was now advocating the universal applicability of Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) to its members in all sectors to reduce the brain drain syndrome.

    He also said that the association rejected the new proposed National Prescription Policy because only doctors were trained to make prescriptions to patients.

    The president said that NMA had conducted an outreach where 500 patients were treated, conducted eye surgeries on 100 patients and distributed nutritional supplements to orphanage homes in Katsina.

  • How to reverse brain drain in health sector, by NMA

    How to reverse brain drain in health sector, by NMA

    • Union seeks holistic approach to sector’s challenges

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has called for a holistic approach from government at all levels to tackle brain drain and other challenges in the nation’s health sector.

    The chairman of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the association, Dr. Emeka-Malachy Ayogu, said this yesterday in Abuja while addressing reporters on the upcoming FCT NMA Physicians’ Week.

    Ayogu said providing an enabling environment for the workers in the sector to effectively discharge their responsibilities was key to fixing the challenges.

    The NMA chairman said the association was saddened by the challenges in the sectors, including brain drain, inadequate working tools, and poor remuneration.

    He said among other activities lined up for the Physicians Week, which started on Sunday with a thanksgiving service, was a conference where experts would proffer in-depth solution to the challenges.

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    Ayogu explained that the theme for the conference: Ensuring Universal Applicability in Remuneration: A Panacea to Talent Retention in the Healthcare Industry, was apt in view of the current state of the health sector.

    The chairman said the chapter had mobilised a lot of experts, knowing fully well that there were contemporary issues that needed to be addressed in the health sector.

    He said the conference would look at how doctors could be treated fairly, equitably and ensure inclusivity and be able to enjoy competitive wages and salaries among their peers.

    “The physicians’ week is meant to recognise the dedication, compassion and expertise of our members. We will use the opportunity to honour ourselves and the noble profession.

    “It is an event that is usually carried out every year by NMA in all the chapters, including FCT. The week is packed with impactful activities, which include going to the orphanage.”

    “The impression is to give back to the society. We are going to engage in a medical outreach. It is designed to expand medical access to those who are less privileged.

    “We are also going to undertake sporting activities to take care of the wellbeing the doctors and promoting the spirit of team work,” Ayogu said.

  • NMA blasts Abia, Imo govs for owing doctors

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has condemned Governors of Abai and Imo states for non payment of doctors’ salaries.
    The association noted that Abia is owing 13 months salaries while Imo only pays 70% of the salaries of doctors in the state since 2017
    .
    It also directed doctors not to participate in states health insurance programme as they were not involved in the process of developing the scheme
    .
    NMA President, Dr  Francis Fasuyile, briefed the media on this and other issues like the non-implementation of the CONHISS in the tertiary institutions.
    Details shortly…

  • 2,000 medical workers move overseas yearly- NMA

    No fewer than 2,000 medical workers migrate to developed countries annually, The Nigerian Medical Association has declared.

    Its President, Dr Francis Adedayo Faduyile stated this in Abakaliki during the opening ceremony of the Annual General Conference/Delegates meeting of the Association in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

    He said this necessitated the theme of the meeting which is ‘Skill Repatriation in the Health Sector: Turning Nigeria’s brain drain to brain gain’.

    “We believe that this ugly situation can be turned to an advantage hence the need to bring this to the front burner for discussion and proffer a way out to the country’s advantage,” he stated.

    Faduyile also said that politicians in the country do not seem to be worried by the trend because they do not to have the necessary statistics and facts on the matter.

    “Without intent at generating further controversy on the matters arising from the unfortunate remark by a senior cabinet member of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who incidentally or coincidentally doubles as a senior member of the Medical Profession it is our firm believe that this gathering would generate further affirmatory statistics and facts that possibly would be enough in convincing those policy makers at critical MDAs of government at all levels including the Federal Ministry of labour and productivity who perhaps are yet to come to reality with the scientifically unambiguous deleterious aftermath of the worsening disparity between the health workforce in general and the population they are serving vis-à-vis the alarming rate of the emigration of these health/medical professionals on helath outcomes as reflected by the various morbidity and mortality data. Then, they can join us in the clarion call for action and be committed to instituting necessary actions,” Faduyile stressed.

    Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, also expressed worries at the increasing rate of brain drain in the country’s medical sector.

    Represented by the Chief Medical Director of Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Dr Emeka Onwe, the Minister said the federal government is working hard to end the mass exodus of Medical workers from the country.

    He said: “I am not particularly happy with the latest trend of doctors leaving the country to other lands for greener pastures. We shall continue to ensure the welfare of the health workforce is improved. Our effort at centralising the internship posting of newly graduated doctors had received the support of FEC and would be rolled out within the year.

    Prof Adewale said the FG has instituted a diaspora programme which is geared towards engaging doctors who have acquired latest skills and knowledge that will help transform the health sector.

    “The ministry will continue to improve on these activities to encourage the diasporans to make increased contribution to our healthcare delivery”.

    The Minister also expressed concerns over inability of several state governments’ inability to recruit and keep medical doctors including specialists in their secondary and tertiary care hospitals.

    “In many cases most local governments’ health facilities do not have a doctor. These are unrelated to poor welfare and remuneration package at various levels amongst other factors”.

  • Lagos Govt orders investigation into patients’ poaching by govt doctors

    Lagos State Government says it has ordered investigation into the death of a child, and allegations of patients poaching by some doctors from the state General Hospitals to their private clinics.

    The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, also said that the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) had shut private hospital, HJ Clairoowen Medical Centre and Maternity where the child allegedly died.

    According to Idris, investigations are ongoing on the operations of the facility whose documents showed that it has not been registered with HEFAMAA or certified for the purpose of healthcare delivery.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this followed a March 27 publication by Mr Adeola Adetunji, accusing a doctor at the Alimosho General Hospital, Igando, of professional misconduct

    Adetunji had sought justice following the death of his 15-month-old twin daughter, Taiwo Adetunji, at the private clinic in Lagos.

    He had alleged that the private clinic was owned by a paediatrician, who also is an employee of the state government working at the General Hospital, Igando.

    “The ministry will make known its findings in due course and mete out appropriate sanctions to anyone found culpable in the unfortunate incident.

    “We will like to assure citizens of our resolve to continuously address the issue of patient poaching and ensure that residents have unfettered access to quality healthcare service without exploitation.

    “As a government, the wellbeing of citizens is of utmost importance to us and this is the main thrust of our social contract with the people.

    “The Lagos State Government is a responsible and responsive government, and we will not rest on our oars to ensure that justice in this case is served without let or hindrances, “he said.

    The commissioner urged members of the public not to patronise any health facility not bearing the HEFAMAA logo.

    He also urged the public to channel complaints and petitions in respect of unprofessional conducts by healthcare providers or health facilities to the HEFAMAA Office, Room 514 Ministry of Health, Alausa, Ikeja.

    “We wish to also note that it is against the norm and highly unethical for general hospitals or any government health facilities to refer patients or cases to private health facilities.

    “The general public is therefore to take note of this and report any health worker or government facility who indulge in this unprofessional act,“ Idris said.

    In its reactions, the State Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), has called for an improvement of the country’s hospital referral system, saying it was key to patient management.

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    Its Chairman, Dr Saliu Oseni, said: “The attention of NMA, Lagos has been drawn to a publication by Mr Adeola Adetunji who alleged professional misconduct by one of our members at the Alimoso General Hospital, Igando.

    “Though, the association has yet to receive an official complaint from the victim, it will be inhumane to ignore such weighty allegation especially as it involves loss of life.

    “We are aware of the pain this irreparable loss has caused the family.

    “The case is already being investigated by a panel set up by the state government and the association is following the events with keen interest.

    “This event has once again reminded us of many inadequacies in our health sector begging for urgent review.

    “Our referral system must be improved upon, simplified and made known to the public as patient referral remains a key part of patient management. “

    The chairman said that the association would ensure that the circumstances surrounding the incident was unravelled.

    According to him, the case is being investigated by a panel set up by the state government and the association is following the events with keen interest.

    He, however, called on the general public to continue to have faith in the health sector.

    “Justice will not only be done, but shall be seen by all to have been done as the association believes strongly in professionalism,” he said.