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Tag: Nigerian Medical Association

  • Minister: Lack of funds hindering quality health care delivery

    Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) Minister Malam Bello Muhammad on Tuesday lamented that lack of funds has affected the passion of the administration to meet up with its ambition for a significant leap in health care delivery.

    Muhammad disclosed this when the FCT Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Chairman, Dr. Achonwa Chiedozie, led the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the forthcoming NMA Annual General/Scientific Conference on a courtesy call on him.

    He expressed readiness to continue to work with the Association towards the improvement of health care delivery in the FCT.

    The Minister indicated that the strategy of the administration is to encourage private sector investments in the area by creating enabling environment and facilitating ease of doing business.

    Muhammad revealed that some private sector-driven specialist hospitals are coming on-stream in the FCT health care landscape which he hopes would reduce health tourism from Nigeria.

    He expressed his commitment towards the establishments of a Centre for Infectious Diseases in Abuja as well as a world class rehabilitation centre for victims of drug abuse.

    Bello lamented that the incidence of drug abuse has spilled beyond youths to adults, women and event mothers, whom he described as the bedrock of the home.

    According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary, Cosmas Uzodinma, the minister allayed the concern of private medical practitioners over multiple taxation that the FCT Internal Revenue Service will work for a friendlier tax regime for businesses that centre on critical areas of human services.

    Chiedozie said Medical doctors in the Federal Capital Territory are satisfied with the progress the administration is recording in the health sector.

    He was delighted that the FCT Minister has delivered on the pledges he made to the current executives of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) when the executives visited him two years ago.

    Briefing the Minister on the conference scheduled for Abuja, April 29 to May 6, this year, the Chairman recalled the Minister’s pledge to open two new hospitals every year to keep pace with the demographic change and health care needs of the Territory. Others include; rectifying the cases of Doctors affected by placement on improper salary structures, capacity building and across board improvement in various departments of health care institutions in the FCTA.

    According to the NMA Chairman, “we have observed the sure and steady delivery on these promises, as we have witnessed the opening of two new hospitals last year and are very hopeful that same will be done this year.”  Dr. Chiedozie commended the FCT Administration because of increase in the number of FCT Health institutions that have been accredited for residency trainings. This, he described as an eloquent indication of significant improvement in the standards of these institutions in the life of this Administration.

    His words, “the growth in the number of hospitals has significantly increased the number of bed-spaces and positively impacted on health care delivery in the FCT, and for which we want to commend your efforts, Honourable Minister Sir.”

    According to the Dr. Chiedozie, a major highlight of the forthcoming conference is a plan by the national body to undertake a two-day free medical outreach – Monday  30th April and Tuesday, May 1st – involving  surgery and consultations, in Abaji General Hospital for a targeted 500 patients.  Over 1000 Medical Doctors, he said, would be converging in Abuja from across the 36 states of the federation, abroad as well as the diaspora.

    The Association’s Chairman lauded its partnerships with the FCT Administration which has yielded positive results as the Association has trained a total of 150 health assistants selected from various Primary Health Care Centres in the FCT on neonatal resuscitation. They also have a plan to train a further 65.

    In the same vein it has adopted the Dabi-Bako Primary Health Care in Kwali Area Council for the purpose of free medical consultations. Members visit the Centre every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, to give 3 hours of consultations. It also plans to increase the number in due course.

     

  • NMA advocates implementation of National Oral Health Policy

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has advocated for the implementation of the National Oral Health Policy drafted by the National council on Health and signed into law by the Federal government in 2012.

    The advocacy was made by NMA’s President, Prof Mike Ogirima in Lafia on Tuesday during the celebration of the 2018 World Oral Health Day.

    Ogirima said that the implementation of the policy would improve oral healthcare delivery to patients in form of laid down standard guidelines on dental issues and provision of facilities and structures in all dental clinics across the country.

    “The policy stipulates that facilities and structures to be in place in all dental clinics but that is not the case now. We have the world oral health center in Jos which is not yet gazetted. No law is backing that center. So we need all these to be put in place”.

    “That is why we are advocating for the implementation of the policy to change the way we handle oral health for good,” he said.

    Ogirima said if the policy is implemented, a lot of progress will be achieved with regards to oral health which includes easier access to oral care and access to better infrastructure and facilities to take care of oral health.

    Also speaking, Dr Clement Onwube, NMA’s National Chairman on Dental Health Committee said the policy on oral health covers everything about manpower, infrastructure, the minimum standard for a dental clinic to operate.

    “I was one of the members of the technical committee that developed the policy in 2012. In fact the policy gave room for the appointment of chief dental surgeon in each state up to the three senatorial zones, dental committees at local government levels comprising representatives of the people to bring the message of oral health to the grassroots.

    “It is our candid belief that if every state in Nigeria can key into the guidelines of the National Oral Health Policy, we would have solved about 50 percent of the problems facing oral health in the country,” He said.

    He advised Nigerians to adhere to basic moral hygiene method in taking care of their oral health such as eating good food, fruits, vegetables, taking good care of the mouth by brushing the teeth twice a day and visiting the dentist every six months for proper oral health care.

    In her remarks, Hajia Salamatu Al-Makura, wife of the Nasarawa state governor thanked the NMA for celebrating the day and appealed for more sensitization especially in the rural areas so as to keep the people informed on the importance of a healthy oral life style.

    “Moments like this should be utilised. I thank the NMA for highlighting the importance of oral health. Another important message is for us all to observe basic oral hygiene by eating right and brushing at least twice a day,” She said.

    She added “My Non Governmental Organization Mother Child-Care Enhancement Foundation McCEF was part of the World Oral Day organised by the NMA in 2015. So for me, this is a familiar terrain.

    “I remember with every sense of fulfilment the success of the event. In 2015, people were screened and treated free of charge. That to me was a positive way of creating awareness and increasing oral health information and significance.”

    In his address, Dr Chris Edeh, Chairman, NMA, Nasarawa state chapter said the NMA in the state will continue to remain committed in holding advocacies and sensitization on oral health so as to enlighten people of the importance of their oral health.

    He then added that apart from the celebration of the World Oral Health day, a three days free dental screening and treatment will kick-start from Tuesday in Lafia at the Dalhatu Specialist Hospital and the Federal Medical Center. Keffi, thereby urging everyone to take advantage of the initiative.

     

  • NMA honours Ogun Speaker with award

    NMA honours Ogun Speaker with award

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ogun chapter, on Wednesday in Abeokuta, conferred on the Speaker of the Ogun House of Assembly, Suraj Adekunbi, a “Distinguished Ambassador” award.

    Dr Abayomi Olabode, the state Chairman of the association, said the award was given to Adekunbi in recognition of his outstanding achievements.

    He said some of the achievements were the promulgation of relevant legislations for the development of health care services and sports in the state.

    Olabode who led other members of NMA to the assembly complex to decorate the speaker, briefed him on level its preparedness for the forthcoming NMA National Games tagged: “Abeokuta 2018.”

    He said, “The assembly, through its people-oriented legislations, has helped in transforming all sectors of the state’s economy, particularly the health care sector.

    Read Also: NMA educates market women on Lassa fever in Osun

    The chairman described the speaker as an astute administrator and a lover of peace, and reiterated NMA’s unwavering support to the house for the advancement of the health sector.

    He gave the assurance that the NMA would continue to partner with the assembly in initiating relevant legislations to further enhance the health care sector.

    The speaker thanked the association for the gesture and noted that the success recorded so far in the house was possible through the synergy between professional bodies and residents in the state.

    He said, “As a people’s representatives, it has become imperative that we deliver on the mandate given to us by the electorate through quality representation.

    “We strive to bring about legislations that will always advance the socio-economic status of the state.

    Adekunbi, however, tasked the medical personnel not to rest on their oars in improving the overall health of the populace.

    NAN

  • Kogi medical doctors begin strike

    Kogi medical doctors begin strike

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Kogi on Sunday directed its members to resume strike on Monday over an alleged failure by the state government to meet their demands.

    Dr Godwin Tijani, the Chairman of the association, said in Lokoja that the inability of the state government to pay the doctors’ full salaries was unacceptable.

    Besides, Tijani said all the doctors’ associations and union dues as well as members’ cooperative society contributions were not remitted in full whereas 100 per cent taxes were deducted from their salaries.

    According to Tijani, even some doctors are yet to be paid.

    “Congress, therefore, resolved that all its members across the state should resume total and indefinite withdrawal of healthcare services from all hospitals in Kogi, with effects from 12:00 midnight on Sunday, Jan 7, 2018.

    “We want government to give a definite time line for the full implementation of adjusted CONMESS (new salary structure) for doctors in the state civil service and the accrued arrears since January, 2014.

    “Congress will reconvene once the state government responds appropriately to the aforementioned demands,” he said.

    Tijani, however, appreciated the commissioners for Health and Finance and others, who were at the congress to douse tension and ensure peaceful resolution of the matter.

    He also commended their members for their patience and understanding.

    It would be recalled that the Kogi NMA had suspended an earlier strike over the demand on June 22, 2017, following the state government assurances that it would meet their demands.

    It gave the government up till Dec. 31, 2017, to meet the demand or face strike. (NAN)

  • C/River doctors down tools over kidnap of member

    C/River doctors down tools over kidnap of member

    The Cross River State Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has directed all its members to observe a total and indefinite withdrawal of services to members of the public until their abducted colleague, Doctor Usang Ekanem, is safely released and measures are taken to forestall future occurrences.

    Addressing reporters at the end of an emergency general meeting in Calabar on Friday, Chairman of the Association, Dr Effiong Mkpanam, decried “an upsurge in the cases of targeted kidnapping of Medical Practitioners.”

    Mkpanam said Ekanem, who is with the College of Education Medical Centre in Akamkpa local government area, was abducted on December 26, 2017, with the kidnappers demanding a ransom of N100 million.

    “The NMA CRS hereby instructs all its members, both in Public and Private Medical Facilities (University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Institutional Hospitals, General Hospitals, Medical Centres, Mission Hospitals and Private Clinics and Hospitals) within Cross River State, that as from 8.00am of Monday January 8th, 2018, to observe a total and indefinite withdrawal of services to members of the public, until such a time that our Colleague is safely released by his captors and measures are taken to forestall future occurrences,” he said.

    He said they regretted any inconveniences this action taken may cause and urged members of the public requiring medical attention within the period, to seek services in neighbouring States of the Federation.

    Mkpanam said in the past two years, the Association has had cause to draw the attention of the authorities to the incessant cases of kidnappings and other urban crimes, which have threatened the socioeconomic fabric of the State.

    “We have also noticed with utter dismay and drawn the attention of the authorities to an upsurge in the cases of targeted kidnapping of Medical Practitioners. These attacks are frequently perpetrated on our colleagues, while they are discharging their legitimate duties of saving lives. It is noteworthy that in the last one year within the State capital alone, five Doctors and three of their dependents and family members have been kidnapped at various times and locations. This works out at nearly one medical doctor- targeted kidnap per month within the State capital alone!

    “In as much as we as Doctors are sworn to an oath that requires us to save the lives of members of the public who are in need of our skill set, we have observed with dismay a dangerous trend in which the security and lives of the same Doctor is being threatened by some disgruntled members of society, while the State authorities and security agencies stand aloof and complacent at the very least.

    “As we address you today, it is with grief that we make public the fact that a very Senior Medical Practitioner and a one-time Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), has been in the kidnappers den for ten days and counting, specifically from Tuesday, December 26th, 2017 and the State Government and various security agencies in the State seem unable to offer any meaningful assistance towards securing his release.

    “It is from the foregoing, that the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Cross River State Branch arising from this Emergency General Meeting and believing it has allowed enough time for constructive negotiations, hereby make bold to take the following measures until the safe release of our Colleague from his captivity in the kidnappers den is facilitated by those saddled with that responsibility.

    “We are hereby using this medium to call on the following persons, His Excellency Prof. Benedict Ayade, the Chief Security Officer of Cross River State; the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotun Idris; the Assistant Inspector-General Police (AIG) Zone 6, Abubakar Marafa; the Commissioner of Police Cross River State Command, Hafiz Inuwa; the Director-General Department of State Services, Lawal Musa Daura; and the State Director, Department of State Services to immediately intervene as a matter of urgency, to ensure the immediate SAFE release of our Colleague and to forestall the unpleasant consequences that a total shut down of Medical Services will cause the good people of Cross River State.

    “We also enjoin the security agencies in the State, to heighten their intelligence gathering and service delivery to prevent future reoccurrence of “DOCTOR- TARGETED” kidnappings in Cross River State.

    “The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Cross River State regrets any inconveniences this action is taken may cause the general public and wish to advice law-abiding members of the public requiring Medical Attention within this period, to seek services in neighbouring States of the Federation. We cannot continue to safeguard the lives of others, while ours is under constant threat by kidnappers and armed bandits and those charged with the responsibility of offering protection simply watch us suffer physical and psychological trauma.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the Nigerian Medical Association will withdraw clinical services without any notice, any time a doctor is taken captive in future. We cannot continue to save the lives of others while ours is not secured.”

  • Osun doctors embark on 7-day warning strike

    Osun doctors embark on 7-day warning strike

    The Osun State Chapter of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on Monday ordered its members working with state government to proceed on 7-day warning strike over unpaid salary arrears and poor working condition.

    The NMA Chairman in the state, Dr Tokunbo Olajumoke, gave the directive after an emergency general meeting of the association in Osogbo.

    Olajumoke said the 7-day warning strike was coming after the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum issued to the state government by the association to meet its demands.

    “The 7-day warning strike is to commence immediately because the 21-day ultimatum issued to the state government to look into the pending issues raised by the doctors has expired.

    “Within that 7-day, there will not be any form of clinical activities in all the state- owned hospitals and no doctor is allowed to treat any patient for that seven days.”

    Olajumoke said that the 7-day warning strike was to allow the state government to  engage the doctors in a dialogue  to look into their demands.

    Other grievances of the doctors are non-payment of CONMESS salary scale, over taxation, mutilated and outstanding salaries of doctors, among others.

    Reacting to the strike notice, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Rafiu lsamotu, appealed to the doctors to be patient with the state government, saying  their requests were being looked into.

    Isamotu said the government was committed to providing quality healthcare to the masses as well as ensuring that doctors got the best from the government.

  • Kogi NMA rejects 50% salary payment

    Kogi NMA rejects 50% salary payment

    The Nigerian Medical Association ( NMA ) in Kogi on Thursday rejected the payment of 50 per cent salary to her members by the State Government.
    Th state Chairman of NMA, Dr Godwin Tijani, in a statement in Lokoja, expressed displeasure with the payment of half salary to her members and therefore outrightly rejected it.
    According to him, NMA was not invited to the meeting held between the State Government and labour leaders where it was purportedly agreed that 50 per cent would be paid to workers.
    “We only saw the news in the media this morning but we initially denied it as untrue, but now many of our members have gotten alert confirming the payment of half of their salaries.
    “Kogi doctors are not happy with that decision, and as a noble and an understanding association, we expected the government to notify us of this shortfalls and not be taken by surprise.
    “We learnt that those working in tertiary institutions are being paid full salary while those with the Ministry and Hospital Management Board (HMB) are getting half salary.
    “NMA express displeasure with that level of discrimination,” Tijani said.
    He, however, appealed to all members to remain calm and not be discouraged by such discrimination, urging them to go about their normal activities.
    “We are working hard to ensure this abnormal cut in their salaries are corrected,” said the chairman.

  • NMA to Buhari: Equip Nigerian hospitals like UK’s before 2019

    NMA to Buhari: Equip Nigerian hospitals like UK’s before 2019

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has risen from its August 2017 National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, asking President Muhammadu Buhari to replicate medical equipment he had seen in London, United Kingdom in Nigerian hospitals before the end of his tenure.

    The umbrella body of medical practitioners in the country said Doctors in the country would have been able to handle the President’s health challenge if the health sector had been properly equipped and funded.

    NMA in its communique issued and jointly signed by its National President and Secretary General, Professor Mike Ozovehe Ogirima and Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu respectively after their just concluded National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Kaduna said it has “resolved to call on the President to utilize his positive experience in the health systems of other climes to impact on the health care system in Nigeria.”

    Reading the communiqué to newsmen Professor Ogirima said, Nigerian doctors are competent to handle any form of ailment if enabling environment and good working tools are on ground, adding that the President may have sought for medical attention outside the shores of this country perhaps as a result of ill-equipped hospitals in the country.

    According to him, “the nature of the President’s ailment is not known to NMA, and even if it is known to us, we have to respect our oath of secrecy. The President like every other citizen of this country has the right to seek second opinion, that is part of medical practice. However, the Doctors in Nigeria are capable of handling any ailment if optimal working conditions are provided.

    “We have read and heard on BBC that, the President does not believe in the Nigerian health system. What was wrong by the President going outside? It is a fact that our hospitals are not optimally equipped. Am sure that, the President after spending 100 days in London has first hand experience of what we have been shouting, equip! Equip! Upgrade our hospitals.

    “We are happy that the President is back. Based on his experience, we are saying he should come and replicate what he has seen in London, at least to take care of the masses. So, we expect him to replicate such within the next two years.”
    According to the communique, “the NEC observed with dismay the continuous low budgetary allocation to health leading to declining health care service delivery in the country.

    “The the NEC observed with dismay the worsening availability, distribution, development and utilization of human resources for health within Nigeria’s health system and the increasing trend of brain drain especially affecting the already weakened man power base in the country.

    “NEC calls on government to implement the Abuja Declaration of at least 15 percent budgetary allocation to health and ensure timely release of funds with effect from 2018 budget and appealed to the National Assembly to fast track the passage of the bill on Residency Training Program (RTP) in Nigeria.

    “NEC calls for the improvement in Epidemic control, preparedness and establishment of more Infectious Disease Hospitals (IDH) through out the country, and that the government to intensify efforts to improve funding on immunization services and further strengthen the collaboration between government and non governmental agencies,” NMA stated.

  • Rivers: Senior citizens at elderly home beg for medical attention

    Rivers: Senior citizens at elderly home beg for medical attention

    Senior citizens at the Home for the Elderly in Port Harcourt Friday begged the government and well-meaning individuals and organizations for medical attention to aide their failing health conditions.

    The elderly persons made this call during a health outreach packaged by the Nigerian Medical Association, (NMA) in the state as part of its programmes to commemorate the Rivers Golden Jubilee Celebration.

    Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Matron of the Home for Elderly in Port Harcourt, Reverend-Sister MaryJane Rafael Agwubosi, thanked the body for the intervention, describing it as timely.

    Agwubosi stated that the home lost two of its inmates last week to ailment and called on well-meaning individuals to join the NMA to give more medical attention to the senior citizens in the home.

    She said: “When we got the message that NMA is coming to see us we were so happy. They have come at the time we need them most. We thank them for this gesture.

    “Here we have a lot of challenges especially medical issues. Last week we lost two of our people here to sickness. When we sent them to the hospital they died because attention was not given to them.

    “We need a lot of help. We need social workers. We need attention of the government and the public. Some time we do not have money to pay workers, but we do not lack food here. We need help to get more workers and to be able to pay them.”

    Meanwhile, the Chairman of NMA in the state, Dr. Dantoye Alasia stressed the need for good medical attention to be given to elderly people and disclosed that over 60 persons benefited from the programme.

    Alasai said: “We planned this comprehensive medical outreach for the elderly people in this place to cover eye care, provision of drugs, cardiac and ECG, blood sugar test, malaria, and comprehensive heart evaluation. There is also a mental health evaluation station.

    “The society is changing and the care for the elderly is not what it used to be, people no more care for the elderly ones. It is a wakeup call to the fact that there is no limit to what people can do to save the situation of elderly people.”

     

  • NMA commends Police in Ondo

    NMA commends Police in Ondo

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ondo State Chapter has commended the Police Command in the state for its swift response in recovering member’s vehicle snatched by armed robbers.

    Dr Gbelega Dolani, Chairman of NMA in the state, who made commendation at a news conference on Tuesday in Akure, said the gallant performance of the police was worthy of commendation.

    Dolani said a Honda Accord car belonging to one of its members was snatched on April 30 at gun point in Oba- Ile area of Akure at 3.30p.m but the police recovered it hours after they were alerted.

    Dolani advised residents to always report crime, promptly, to the police to enable them do their jobs effectively and reduce crime to the barest minimum.

    “To us, doctors, this swift and gallant effort displayed by the police is worthy of commendation.

    ‘’We sincerely appreciate this effort of Ondo State Police Command, especially the Commissioner of Police, Hilda Ibifuro-Harrison.

    “From this incident, it shows that with appropriate and timely information, plus adequate security gadget, the Nigeria Police has the capacity to show excellence,” he said.