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Tag: NMA

  • NMA to Buhari: Adopt PPP for health sector

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has implored the Federal Government to adopt the Public -Private -Partnership (PPP) for the development of the health sector.

    The Chairman of the NMA in the FCT, Dr. Fatima Mairami, said PPP is necessary if the government is desirous about growing the sector.

    She noted that for the country’s hospitals to be developed, Nigeria must be able to develop world class hospitals.

    This, she said will help curb the idea of rushing outside the country for even minor medical issues.

    Mairami, who spoke at the opening of NMA FCT two- day annual general meeting, said “we also implore the federal government to explore the option of encouraging world class medical practice in Nigeria through the Public Private Partnership initiative.

    “It’s worthy of note that the hospitals where Nigerians troop to in developed countries, those mega hospitals are private sector driven.

    “One reassuring fact is that most of those hospitals abroad have Nigerians as their principal doctors.”

    She also urged President Buhari to ensure that government officials are not allowed to go abroad for treatment at the expense of the country.

    Mairami insisted that any government official that wants to go abroad for medical attention should do so but not at the expense of the collective resources of all.

    Also, Dr. Kayode Obembe, NMA National President, said PPP is very germane.

    He noted that there is element of commitment in the private sector, stressing that it will be difficult to hear that workers down tools in PPP.

    He maintained that PPP is the best for the society.

  • Police arraigns alleged fake doctor employed by FG

    Police arraigns alleged fake doctor employed by FG

    The police Tuesday arraigned ‎ before a Federal High Court in Abuja, a 44-year old man, Martins Ugwu Okpe, who allegedly cloned his friend’s credentials, with which he gained employment as a medical expert for about nine years with the Federal Ministry of Health.

    Okpe was accused of stealing certificates ‎of exemption of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery and General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level), all belonging to Daniel Davidson George.

    He was accused, in a five-count charge brought against him, of claiming ownership of the certificates ‎and tendered them before the Federal Civil Service Commission in Ebonyi State upon which he was offered a temporary letter of appointment dated August 30, 2006. He was arrested last June.

    A recent verification exercise of professional skills of residence doctors, conducted by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) on June 4, 2015 allegedly revealed the accused person’s true identity.

    Okpe was said to have risen to become the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in the Federal Ministry of Health Abuja chapter.

    Count one of the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/296/2015 reads, “That you Martins Ugwu Okpe, male, aged 44 years, of the Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on or about March 13, 2006 at unspecified hour in Karu Abuja of the Abuja Division committed stealing; and did steal Certificate of Bachelor of Medicine of Surgery and National Youth Service Corps certificate of exemption dated February 8, 2005 with serial number 000027400 all property of Mr. Daniel Davidson George, being the certificate awarded to him by Academic’s Senate of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State dated August 29, 2002 and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 383 and punishable under section 390 of the Criminal Code Law.”

    According to the charge, Okpe’s alleged offences are contrary to sections 383 and 486 of the Criminal Code law and punishable under sections 390 and 467 of the same law.

    Okpe, of average height, was dressed in a pair of blue jeans and a white T-shirt embossed with the sign: “Africa against Ebola,” produced by the Federal Ministry of Health’s ad hoc committee on Ebola Virus Disease, where he served during the outbreak of the disease in the country last year.

    Okpe pleaded not guilty to the charge, following which Justice Gabriel Kolawole grant the accused person bail in terms and conditions agreed upon by both the prosecution and defence lawyers, Malik Taiwo and O. O. Otemu.

    Taiwo, who had filed a counter-affidavit to Okpe’s bail application, withdrew it in court on Tuesday.

    Justice Kolawole granted bail to the accused in the sum of N1m with two sureties in the same amount.

    The judge said the sureties, who should be in the employment of either the federal or state, must be not less than Grade Level 12. The court ordered that he should be remanded in Kuje prison, Abuja pending when he is able to meet the bail conditions.

  • NMA: health workers frustrating govt

    NMA: health workers frustrating govt

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has accused Allied Health Workers of planning to frustrate the incoming administration.

    NMA President Kayode Obembe said this while delivering the communiqué at the end of their 55th Annual General Conference/ Delegates meeting with the theme: The root 2015; “The Nigerian Health Sector: Current trends, burning issues and what the future hold”, held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    He said: “We condemn situation where these workers, each time they embark on strike, lock up offices, theatres, laboratories, and vandalise power generating systems and water supply.

    “They tamper with oxygen supply systems to patients in critical conditions, including pre-mature and new born babies, in their efforts to impede doctors from continuing to render services during their ill-motivated strike actions.”

    The NMA boss called on government to treat their acts as genocidal and crime against humanity and bring the culprits to book accordingly.

    He also blamed the government for the recurring crises in the health sector by not  taking decisive and realistic actions with the inordinate ambitions and self-serving demands.

  • Doctors to remove NMA stickers from cars

    Doctors to remove NMA stickers from cars

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Ekiti State has ordered doctors to remove the union’s stickers from their cars.

    The measure, according to the NMA Chairman, Dr. John Akinbote, was to prevent kidnappers from easily identifying the doctors, who are now their major targets.

    Apart from removing “Doctor on Duty Stickers”, Dr. Akinbote also advised medical practitioners to avoid keeping late nights, avoid nightclubs and live low profile lives.

    Addressing a briefing in Ado Ekiti, the state capital yesterday, he called for the harmonisation of anti-kidnapping laws in the country so that no state would be a haven for kidnappers.

    The NMA chair condemned the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) for their failure to protect doctors and the public.

    He appealed to Governor Ayo Fayose, Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to ensure a “coordinated and proactive security strategy in the state”.

    “We are disturbed and grossly disappointed by the level of proactive and investigative measures put in place so far by Commissioner of Police Joshua Ibine and DSS Director Duke Fubara.

    “The recent incessant threat messages to our members followed the serial cases of abductions involving a nurse, Margaret Akadenika, Dr. Patrick Adegun, his wife, Kikelomo and recently Dr. Femi Omisore of OAU, Ile Ife in various parts of the state.

    “It is appalling that several security meetings have yielded little or no result as medical and health workers, lecturers and other citizens still move about in fear.

    “We are also advising them to stop moving around at night because these people have the erroneous impression that we receive higher pay and are more profitable targets.

    “They have to remove anything that could suggest that they are members of this association since we are the target.

    “We have given the names and numbers of those who received kidnap threats to the police and the SSS, but nothing had been done in this regard.

    The NMA boss bemoaned the kidnappers’ refusal to contact Mrs. Aladenika’s family.

  • NMA decries attack on doctors, nurses in Ekiti

    •Judge: I didn’t stop impeachment

    Worried by what it called “incessant harassment and attacks on doctors and health workers”, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Ekiti State has called on security agencies to save its members.

    The state NMA Chairman, Dr. John Akinbote, who raised the alarm at a briefing yesterday condemned recent attacks on health professionals in some government-owned hospitals.

    Some people believed to be hoodlums and drivers’ unions members last week beat up a doctor in Efon Alaaye in Efon Local Government Area.

    A nurse was beaten and a doctor threatened in Aramoko, Ekiti West Local Government Area.

    Some drivers’ union members beat up the doctor at Efon for allegedly failing to attend to their injured colleague at the town’s general hospital.

    Akinbote, who described doctors and health workers as “endangered species”, warned against further attacks on them.

    The NMA boss lamented that health workers were constantly being abused by families of patients and transport unions members without provocation.

    He said: “Some relatives recently beat a nurse in General Hospital, Aramoko, for not sitting with a patient.

    “They also threatened to beat the doctor on duty who started begging them to spare his life.

    “The doctor is still receiving threat messages for reporting the matter.

    “Also at General Hospital in Aramoko, members of National Union of Road Transport Workers threatened to beat up a doctor.

    “We are fast becoming an endangered species.

    “We, therefore, urgently call on the government and law enforcement agencies to curtail the attack and harassment of our members.”

    The NMA called on the government to expedite action on the implementation of the adjusted revised Consolidated Medical Salary Scale Circular issued by the Federal Government since January 1, last year.

  • Hoodlums attack doctors, nurses at Ekiti hospitals

    …NMA kicks

    Worried by what it called “incessant harassment and attacks on doctors and health worker,” the Ekiti State Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has called on security agencies to save their lives.

    The state’s NMA Chairman, Dr. John Akinbote, who raised the alarm in a chat with reporters on Monday, condemned recent attacks on health professionals in some government-owned hospitals.

    Some people believed to be hoodlums and drivers’ unions members last week beat up a doctor in Efon Alaaye in Efon local government area while a nurse was beaten and a doctor threatened in Aramoko in Ekiti West local government area.

    Some drivers’ union members beat up the doctor at Efon for allegedly failing to attend to their injured colleague who was rushed to the town’s General Hospital on time.

    Akinbote, who described doctors and health workers as “endangered species” warned against further attacks on them in the course if discharging their duties.

    The NMA boss lamented that health workers were constantly being abused by families of patients and transport unions without provocation.

    He said, “Some relatives recently beat a nurse in General Hospital, Aramoko, for not sitting with a patient. They also threatened to beat the doctor on duty who started begging them to spare his life.

    “The doctor is still receiving threat messages for reporting the matter at the appropriate quarters.

    “Also at General Hospital in Aramoko, members of National Union of Road Transport Workers threatened to beat up a doctor while treating a patient. We are fast becoming an endangered species.

    “We therefore urgently call on the state government and law enforcement agencies to curtail the attack and harassment of our members.”

    The NMA called on the government to expedite action on the implementation of the adjusted revised Consolidated Medical Salary Scale Circular issued by the Federal Government since January 1, 2014.

  • Aregbesola faults NMA over open letter

    Aregbesola faults NMA over open letter

    Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, yesterday faulted an open letter written  by the the state chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association( NMA) wherein it claimed that the state government has  been paid its allocations up till March this year.

    In a statement signed by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Semiu Okanlawon, the state government disputed the allegations made by NMA, describing it as unsubstantiated.

    “The attention  of the government of the State of Osun has been drawn to an open letter purportedly written  by the state branch of the Nigeria Medical Association over unpaid salaries of its members.

    In its open letter, the NMA claimed that it has information that Osun government has been paid its allocations up till March this year and cannot therefore understand why salaries of its members and those of other workers are not paid.

    The NMA needs to be reminded that when a state that was receiving N4.6billion as monthly allocation began to experience sharp decline down till about N1.1billion monthly, it is instructive that the state’s N3.6 billion salaries and other compulsory payments would suffer delays.”

    The state government linked its poor financial situation to the drop in allocations from the FederaL Government.

    “Since July 2013, the shortfall in revenue had started showing its ugly face and since then, the state had been augmenting allocations from the Federal Government with resources from its savings.

    This was why even at the time when the Federal Government could not pay its workers, the Osun government still continued to fulfill its obligations up until it exhausted the reserve.”

    “In case the NMA is unaware, the FAAC meeting for the distribution of the March allocation was held less than two weeks ago while the states await the funds to drop in their coffers.

    That also presupposes that the claim of six months salaries being owed must be checked properly. If workers in Osun have been paid up till November, it is therefore appropriate to take cognizance of the fact that December, January and February are being owed since neither the allocations for March or April has been paid into the coffers of the government.

    The NMA has also claimed that it is aware that “contractors and political office holders have been the beneficiaries of the available revenue accruing to our state from the federation account”.

    While it is regrettable that workers’ salaries have suffered delay, it is equally germane to remind the NMA leadership and its members that the claim of the little revenue coming to the state going into satisfying the needs of political appointees and contractors is false and cannot be substantiated.

    Osun took bonds for various development projects and financial literacy tells us that bonds are issued based on projects attached to them which are monitored by the appropriate regulatory bodies in the financial sector. This means proceeds of bonds taken for construction of schools and other  development projects cannot be diverted to the payment of salaries according to the wishes of the NMA.”

    “As late as last Wednesday April 29, 2015, representatives of the government, led by the Head of Service, Mr. Sunday Owoeye, still had a meeting with the leadership of the NMA, led by the National President, Dr. Kayode Obembe.

    Therefore, the claim that the Governor of the state “was unexplainably unavailable for mediation and dialogue with all negotiating teams”with the association cannot be true.

    In addition, the state government has been having very fruitful meetings with the Osun State Association of Medical and Dental Officers (OSAMDO) which is the trade union that covers the interests of members of the NMA.

    Governor Aregbesola will continue to do its best in the interest of workers’ welfare while hoping that an end is in sight to the shenanigans that brought about this unfortunate situation in the first place,”the statement added.

    Meanwhile, in his message to Osun workers on the occasion of  Workers Day celebration, Gov Aregbesola described them as the engine room of any administration, urging them to direct their professionalism towards the realisation of the goals and aspirations of the in-coming government.

    “With transparent handling of national resources, the days of revenue crisis in Nigeria would soon be over and workers would once again be assured of their place of priority. We are committed to furthering our achievements in Osun as far as the welfare of workers are concerned.”

  • NMA, Lagos doctors suspend indefinite strike

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and its affiliate, the Lagos State Medical Guild, Wednesday suspended their indefinite strike.

    According to the secretary, NMA Lagos State chapter, Dr Babajide Saheed, the decision was reached at a joint meeting between the NMA and the Medical Guild.

    Saheed said work resumes Thursday at 8am, urging doctors to go back to their duty posts.

    “The strike is hereby suspended. Full services resume by 8.00am tomorrow,” he said.

    He said a committee has been set up to ensure the implementation of the promises made by the state government.

    The issue, he said, will be reviewed two weeks after the governorship elections.

    Saheed said doctors’ focus is centered on the patients, adding that they are committed to offering them the best care.

    It would be recalled that the Medical Guild embarked on an indefinite strike on March 16 to demand for three days salary in April and May 2012 and August and September, last year.

    The NMA joined the Medical Guild on indefinite strike on Monday as a form of solidarity.

  • NMA gets doctor’s autopsy result

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Ondo State has got a preliminary autopsy report on the death of its former Chairman, Dr. David Oguntause, who was allegedly burnt to death in his hospital in Akure, the state capital.

    Speaking with reporters shortly after a candle light procession and service of songs by the NMA in Akure, the Chairman, Dr. Bamidele Betiku, said the association did not want to be hasty in disclosing its findings.

    Betiku said the family and the NMA decided to go ahead with the funeral since the Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) test result confirmed that the burnt body was that of the former NMA chairman.

    “To us, the DNA was very much important; we wanted to be sure that the burnt body was that of our ex-chairman. That was why we were able to partner with the family for the funeral.

    “We have proceeded with the funeral. We pray that someone day the curiosity of the people who asked questions would be satisfied.

    “The NMA is not insinuating that anybody was involved in the death of our late leader but the circumstances that surrounded the death leave so much to be desired.”

    In his tribute, Governor Olusegun Mimiko described Oguntuase as a pillar in the medial association of the state.

    Oguntuase, 54, died on Christmas Eve. His remains will be buried tomorrow in Ikole-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

  • NMA petitions security agencies over attacks on members

    NMA petitions security agencies over attacks on members

    THE Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in the the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)  has petitioned the police and other security agencies over attacks on its members.

    It insisted that security agencies should investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of the attacks.

    Chairman, NMA Abuja chapter, Dr. Fatina Zaragoza Mairami, and the Chief Medical Director, National Hospital, Abuja, Dr. Jaf Momoh, who spoke with reporters in Abuja yesterday, accused some members of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) of trying to disrupt services in the hospitals.

    The NMA also accused the striking health workers of carrying out the attacks on its members and health facilities within the FCT.

    It called on the Federal Government to provide a 24-hour security for doctors to enable them render uninterrupted clinical services.

    Dr. Mairam said:  “We don’t want to wait until our colleagues are killed and that is why we are demanding for a 24-hour police protection for our members.”

    The doctor stressed the need for security agents to address the situation before it degenerates, adding that if it was not properly address and those behind the attacks brought to book,  it could collapse the healthcare system.

    She noted that within the FCT, members of NMA in three health facilities – the National Hospital, Gwarimpa General Hospital and the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital – were attacked.

    On the incident at the Gwarinpa General Hospital, Mairami claimed that the striking JOHESU members used tear-gas, which affected Dr. Eucharia Anunobi, who is asthmatic.

    The NMA FCT chair noted: “With the use of tear-gas, we felt it was out of hand since in the first place, tear-gas was not supposed to be at the disposal of an individual.”

    She announced that the individual who was in possession of the tear-gas was identified and had been picked up by the police.