The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NMA

  • NMA urges Fed Govt to extend DSS sting operation to health, other sectors

    NMA urges Fed Govt to extend DSS sting operation to health, other sectors

    Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to extend his anti-corruption campaign to health and other sectors.

    The association yesterday indicated plan to organise a walk to protest the challenges bedeviling the health sector.

    The Department of State Service (DSS) recently raided the homes of some judges over alleged corrupt practices.

    Cash in local and foreign denominations as well as documents of properties were allegedly recovered in the operations.

    NMA President Dr. Mike Ogirima, who spoke with reporters in Abuja on the 2016 physicians’ week holding between October 23 and 29, said the president should not just stop with the judiciary, but  security searchlight should be beamed on other sectors, especially the health sector.

    He said: “We call on the Federal Government to extend the anti-corruption crusade to all other sector of the economy as it was done in the judiciary arm of the government.

    “It is our belief that if this is extended to the health sector, the little resources available in the sector would be properly utilised to improve the affordability and accessibility of healthcare services to Nigerians passing through the economic recession.”

    He added: “Any sector where Mr. President find it necessary to clear corrupt tendencies, I should support that.”

    On the panel set up by the Federal Government to investigate alleged fraud in the global fund donations to the country, Ogirima said NMA want the committee’s report to be made public.

    The NMA president urged the government to investigate the alleged diversion of  relief materials meant for the Internally Displaced Person (IDPs) in the Northeast with the view to bringing them to book.

    Ogirima said: “On the issue of the IDPs, NMA wishes to stress that the conditions in most IDP camps and welfare services provided by government are suboptimal. In view of Mr. President’s diminution to fight corruption, there is a need for the Federal Government to investigate and bring to book all those accused of diversion of relief materials meant for the IDPs.”

  • Lagos NMA divided over election of executives

    Two parallel executive council members have emergedin the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State Council, both claiming the leadership of the professional association.

    The crisis followedweek-long activitiesof the council’s annual general meeting (AGM).

    The two parallel executive council members emerged from different elections both of which held in Lagos on Thursday simultaneously.

    One was held at the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) and the second took place at the College of Medicine University of Lagos (CMUL).

    At the NIMR, Dr.Odusote Olumuyiwa (a member of Medical Guild) emerged as the chairman with Dr. Adebayo S. Kayode as first vice chairman, Dr.SodipoOluwajimi was elected as second vice chairman, Dr. Luro Sunday (secretary), Dr. AdegbohunAbosede (deputy), Dr. Agbara Joy (treasurer) among others.

    At the College of Medicine University of Lagos (CMUL), Dr.OlubunmiOmojowolo (a consultant neurologist/Medical Guild) emerged the winner with Dr.OlayinkaAtilola as first vicechairman, Dr. Adegbaju (second chairman), Dr.Alabi as Secretary, Dr.Sekumade Adebayo as deputy secretary, Dr.Uwajeh Kenneth as publicity secretary among others.

    The reason for the polarisation was traced to allegation that the Dr.Odusote division did not pay dues as member of medical guild and that the national NMA gave him undue backing to influence his emergence.

    The Dr.Omojowologroup was accused of holding its election in an illegal venue by the national body.

    At the swearing-in ofOmojowolo, a former president of NMA and a member of the national executive council (NEC), Dr. George Okpagu, said NMA has a constitution, which clears the air on what is legal and illegal.

    “A meeting must be summoned atleast eight weeks before the date of meeting of election. The Omojowologroup fulfilled this. I received notice early enough from them, as the constitution stated and that is why I am here to lend my voice to legality.

    “Respected elders were there to vote, including Prof.Etti and LUTH Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Chris Bode.

    “I received a SMS from the NIMR group 24 hours to the election held there, stating that I should come and attend AGM and vote at NIMR, and also come with money, which will be reimbursed. There is no division. NMA either at the national or at states remain one indivisible body,” said Okpagu.

  • NMA declares doctor missing in Kwara

    The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Kwara Chapter, on Saturday declared one of its members, Dr. Abdulkareem Abdulrahman, missing.

    The Secretary of NMA in the state, Dr. Victor Iroha, disclosed this in a statement in Ilorin, the state capital.

    Iroha said Abdulraheem, a medical officer with Hospital Management Bureau, was posted to General Hospital in Omu- Aran.

    He said Abdulraheem has not been found since July 24.

    “Abdulraheem drove out of his residence opposite Federal Road Safety Commission Office, GRA, in his Navy blue Toyota Corolla car with registration number BWR 532 RP and has not been seen since then,” the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the NMA secretary as saying in the statement.

    “His phone has also been unreachable and there has been no trace of either him or his car.”

     

  • NMA, NGOs back oil sector deregulation

    NMA, NGOs back oil sector deregulation

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the Forum of Non-Governmental Organisation have expressed support for the deregulation of the downstream oil sector by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The groups however called for the implementation of the palliative measures to cushion the effect of the policy on the masses. The Federal Government last  week announced a new petrol price regime of not above N145 per litre, and also opened up the sector for everyone that wants to import the fuel. Individuals are however to source their foreign exchange (forex) outside the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) window.

    NMA President, Prof. Mike Ozovehe Ogirima said the group supports the deregulation of the downstream oil sector, though with a caveat that part of the palliative should include the immediate release of at least five per cent of the consolidated revenue fund as basic health care provision.

    “The NMA supports the deregulation of the oil sector but with a caveat that part of the palliatives should include the immediate release of at least five per  cent of the consolidated revenue fund as the basic health care provision fund (BHPF) which the National Health Act has given to Nigerians and guarantees its availability. This would revamp Primary Health Care (PHC) and reinvigorate the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to cover all Nigerians.

    Also, the National Chairman,  Forum of Non-Governmental Organisation, Comrade Wole Badmus, said subsidy has been responsible for the neglect of the refineries over the years.

    He said the control the Federal Government has exercised of the downstream oil sector through subsidy has led to perennial fuel scarcity.

    Badmus who spoke to reporters in Abuja yesterday said the old ways of managing the oil sector has failed the country and it is time to move forward, given the present economic reality.

  • FETHI CMD absolves self from Ekiti doctors death

    FETHI CMD absolves self from Ekiti doctors death

    The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Federal Teaching Hospital (FETH), Ido-Ekiti, Dr Lawrence Ayodele, has absolved himself of wrongdoing in the death of two doctors from the hospital who were among those that died in Kaduna last week.

    Ayodele told reporters in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital Monday, that those protesting against him are enemies of progress who believe they can thwart his reappointment for a second term because of his reform programme that has plugged many loopholes for corruption.

    He also called on security agencies to put a stop to what he described as an act of ‘terrorizing the hospital community’ by the protesters.

    Ayodele said those protesting against his administration were only using the death of the two doctors as a cover to achieve their aim of making the hospital ungovernable with the aim of preventing his reappointment for a second term.

    The CMD, who gave details of his involvement in the treatment of the doctors, also revealed that the three doctors from FETHI who were among the seven doctors involved in the accident did not take permission for the journey from the hospital’s management.

    Nonetheless, Ayodele said as soon as he was informed of the accident about 9:00 pm Sunday evening in Sokoto,  he contacted all hospital heads around the area that could offer help in treating them. His efforts, he recalled, led to the mobilization of personnel and materials that rescued survivors.

    In addition, Dr Ayodele said he made a presentation on the accident to the minister, Permanent Secretaries and other top government and professional officials the following day, after which he excused himself from the meeting and the conference to enable him return to Ekiti and attend to the situation.

    He said seven doctors from the Ekiti State Hospital Management Board, Ekiti State Teaching Hospital and FETHI agreed to undertake the journey using a bus belonging to the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ekiti State branch for the Sokoto NMA conference.

    He said: “The seven doctors came together to take an NMA bus and driver. They did not involve our hospital. And the three of them from our hospital did not take permission for the conference.

    “So, it is surprising to hear all the way from Sokoto that a group of people under the aegis of Senior Staff Association gathered in front of our hospital accusing the CMD of their death. As the sitting Chief Executive, I have no problem with the staff under me.”

    Ayodele scribed the allegations being branded against him as untrue. On the allegation that 42 people died in his 42 months of leadership, the CMD said nothing can be farther from the truth because only five members of staff have died to his knowledge since the inception of his administration.

    According to him, a medical doctor died of neurological disease, a nurse died of AIDS, a man collapsed due to diabetic coma while a young man died for his alleged involvement in diabolical activities and another young man died in an accident in Owo while returning from a meeting.

    He pointed out: “These protesters are not protesting because of the accident. They are only using it as a cover.”

    Ayodele described the act of closing down the hospital and sending out patients from the wards as acts of terrorism.

    “They have beaten up a number of staff, vandalized Oba’s palace and stopping people from carrying out their duties. They are terrorizing the hospital staff. Security agencies must not allow these to continue because a few people cannot hijack a federal institution. These people should face the full weight of the law.

    “They are trying to make the hospital ungovernable so that government will not renew my appointment.”

    Staff of the hospital under three unions had closed the hospital while protesting the death of two doctors from the hospital who were in the team of seven doctors involved in the accident. They accused Ayodele of using juju to kill his colleagues.

    They also called on the government to remove him and appoint another CMD.

  • Ekiti doctors’ death: NMA raises N20m for families

    Ekiti doctors’ death: NMA raises N20m for families

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) said it had raised a N20 million Educational Endowment Fund for the immediate support for families of its six members from Ekiti state who died in an auto accident on Tuesday.

    This is contained in a communique issued by the association at the end of its 56th Annual General Conference and Delegates meeting in Sokoto on Friday.

    The six medical doctors from Ekiti State and the driver of the vehicle in which they were travelling to Sokoto for the NMA AGM died in the crash which occurred along Kaduna-Abuja highway.

    In the communiqué which was read at a news conference by newly-elected National President of NMA, Prof. Mike Ogirima, the association said that an inter-faith service in honour of the departed members would hold on May 16 in Ado Ekiti.

    The association urged federal and state governments to urgently provide and station well-equipped, functional ambulances along major highways for immediate conveyance of injured victims of vehicular accidents to hospital.

    ‘’Furthermore, the federal and state governments should commence immediate rehabilitations of roads with proper and appropriate road signage on the major highways across the country.

    ‘’The meeting resolved that the former interim Administrator of Federal Medical Centre, Owi, Dr A.O.J. Kolajo, be suspended indefinitely and referred to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria for further disciplinary action,” it said.

    The communique also stated that a free medical program was organized in Tangaza Local Government of Sokoto state as part of the AGM where general and specialist medical services were offered to the community.

    It stated that 754 patients were seen during the program and that 120 general surgeries were successfully carried out.

    NAN reports that the highlight of the event was the election of a six-member National Officers Committee to run the affairs of the Association for the next two years.

    The new officers of the association are Prof. Mike Ogirima, President; Dr Kingsley Enweremadu and Dr Adamu Umar, 1st Vice President and 2nd Vice President, respectively.

    Others are Dr Yusuf Sununu, Secretary-General; Dr Ahmed Attah-Jacob, Deputy Secretary-General and Dr Prince Dan-Jambo, National Treasurer. (NAN)

  • Expired burst tyre responsible for doctors’ death – FRSC

    Expired burst tyre responsible for doctors’ death – FRSC

    The burst rear tyre of the vehicle conveying the medical doctors to Sokoto was manufactured 2008, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has revealed.

    According to findings a tyre life expectancy from the day of manufacturing, especially in a country like ours is four years, while in countries with good road network is about six years.

    Six medical doctors and the driver of the vehicle died as a result of the sudden burst of tyre. The doctors were on their way to Sokoto for the annual conference of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA).

    FRSC team leader, Assistant Corps Marshall, Victor C. Nwokolo revealed the status of the vehicle tyre when he conducted the minister of state, Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire round the scene of the accident.

    Nwokolo attributed the cause of the accident to a sudden burst of the rear tyre that was manufactured in the year 2008 and sudden application of break by the panicked driver.

    He however hinted that some precautions could have saved the victims, like usage of seat belt, non application of break when there is tyre burst, take 15munites break after every 4hrs drive and don’t drive after taking a heavy meal, amongst others.

    The Minister of State, Health lamented the tragic loss; stressing that his visit was aimed at seeing what lessons could be drawn from the sad incident to forestall future occurrence.

    Dr. Ehanire stressed the urgent need for Emergency Management Training (EMT) for Road safety ambulance team and techniques on safe driving for all drivers.

    At St. Gerald’s Catholic hospital, Kakuri, Kaduna where the late victims were treated, the Minister commended the hospital staff for caring for the victims.

    He also said that Health Ministry would collaborate with the hospital in accident emergency response and management under the Private Public Partnership arrangement (PPP).

    The proprietor of the hospital, Most Rev. Dr. Mathew Ndagoso who was represented by the hospital’s administrator, Reverend Sister, Beatrice Danladi, noted that the hospital, though  a faith-based, did all medically to save the lives of the victims when they were admitted, but were not successful.

    She however appealed to government to assist in upgrading the accident and emergency unit of the hospital as this would guarantee better service to accident victims who are often rushed to the hospital from Kano, Zaria, Kafanchan, Sokoto and Gusau.

  • Universal health coverage, right of every Nigerian – NMA

    Universal health coverage, right of every Nigerian – NMA

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) says that universal health coverage is the right of every Nigerian citizen.

    Dr Kayode Obembe, President of the association, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the right of patients was clearly stated in the Constitution.

    Obembe explained that the constitution clearly stipulated that it was the responsibility of government to take care of the health needs of all citizens at primary, secondary and tertiary levels.

    According to him, instead of using the provisions to better the lots of Nigerians with regard to health they insisted and kept hammering that “health is on the concurrent legislative list so that the states and local governments can enact laws apart from the federal.

    He noted that this clause have usually been used to the detriment of citizens by denying them of that right as enshrined in the constitution.

    “The problem that many people continue to hammer on is that health is on the concurrent legislative list so that the states and local governments can enact laws apart from the federal.

    “This clause have usually been used to the detriment of Nigeria citizens, so holistically health is a right to every Nigerian citizen,’’ Obembe said.

    He said, for instance, that every citizen has the right to enrol and enjoy any payment made by government to subsidise NHIS services.

    According to him, the role of universal health coverage which encapsulate all needed requirement on health services was aimed at ensuring that citizens have right to affordable and qualitative healthcare without any impediment on household expenditure.

    Besides, Obembe said that patients have the right to consultation, history taking, examination, diagnosis, investigation, prescription and management.

    “As a consultant the patient have the right to know everything about him or her but the only thing is whether he has right to case note which is another thing.

    “If a doctor treat patients it is the right of that patient if he or she has medical report, the doctor must oblige him details of what he has done, how to continue management of such ailment, but it is not right to give the patient his or her case note.

    “Case note belong to the hospital and it is supposed to be kept there, but if you want your record it could be typed, summarised and handed over to you,’’ Obembe said.

    On challenges encountered by patients in hospitals, Obembe urged aggrieved patients to channel their problems to the NMA office closer to them, Medical and Dental Council or the Ministry of Health to seek redress.

    “If any patient’s right is been impeded upon he is free to report either to NMA or the council. Such right is there and if it jeopardised there are so many ways you can claim these rights.

    “You can even go to court, NMA branch closer to you or the ministry of health, so court can order that the patient’s right should be restored.

    “NMA has monitoring unit which include the police, NMA and Director of Medical services in the state they supposed to take care of day to day welfare of patients in the state.

    “If at the state level you do not seem to get redress write straight to NMA headquarters in Abuja then we treat it,’’ he said.

     

  • Grief in Ekiti as bodies of dead doctors arrive

    Grief in Ekiti as bodies of dead doctors arrive

    There was grief in the air Tuesday evening as the bodies of six medical doctors and their driver from Ekiti State who died along Abuja-Kaduna Expressway arrived Ado Ekiti, the state capital.

    They were on their way to the Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Sokoto but met their untimely death in an auto crash.

    The remains of the dead and their colleagues who survived the accident were conveyed to the state in seven ambulances and were received by Governor Ayo Fayose and other senior government officials.

    The six doctors were Tunde Aladesanmi of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti (FETHI); Ojo Taiwo of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH); NMA Secretary, Akinyele Alex;  J.  Ogunseye of the Hospitals Management Board; President, EKSUTH branch of Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Olajide, Dr Adeniyi James of the FETHI and their driver, Moses Ajibola.

    The convoy of ambulances arrived Ado Ekiti at about 6.30 pm and was accompanied by security men including policemen, officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps, civil defense ans Department of State Service.

    The train moved slowly through the city and headed for EKSUTH along Adebayo area where they were deposited in the mortuary.

    Six survivors of the accident, including the state chairman of the NMA, Dr. John Akinbote, who were clad in black dresses, accompanied the ambulances who came by road in a convoy of cars.

    Tears flowed freely as some residents who learnt of the arrival of the bodies wept openly on the streets while family members and relations of the victims rolled on the ground and wee inconsolable.

    Fayose who also wore black was joined by his deputy, Dr. Kolapo Olusola to receive the bodies at Fajuyi Park from where the ambulances moved to the EKSUTH morgue.

    There was a huge traffic hold-up between Fajuyi Park and EKSUTH as Fayose and his team joined the procession to the hospital to witness the depositing of the bodies in the morgue.

    Fayose, who spoke to journalists, promised to immortalise the doctors and assist their families.

    EKSUTH Chief Medical Director, Dr. Kolawole Ogundipe, said the corpses were being deposited at the morgue to enable their families be able to identify them in preparation for their funerals.

    It was gathered that the families of one of the victims, Dr  Aladesanmi, had concluded arrangement to bury his remains on Wednesday.

     

     

  • NMA declares one-week mourning for Ekiti doctors

    NMA declares one-week mourning for Ekiti doctors

    •Fayose, Speaker, Adewole mourn
    •Flags to be flown at half-mast

    The victims

    •Dr Alex Akinyele
    •Dr Tunde Aladesanmi
    •Dr. O.J. Taiwo
    •Dr. Ogunseye J.B
    •Dr. Olajide .O
    •Dr. Atolani Adeniyi

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) yesterday directed all doctors to observe one week of mourning for six of its members who died in an accident on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway.

    In a statement, NMA President and General Secretary Kayode Obembe and Adewunmi Alayaki said doctors are to wear a black band on the left arm of their white coats.

    The victims were part of the Ekiti State delegates for the 56th Annual General Conference/Annual Delegates Meeting (AGC/ADM) in Sokoto. The driver also died in the accident.

    The conference is still on going.

    The victims are Dr Alex Akinyele (Secretary NMA Ekiti, Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Ido-Ekiti); Dr Tunde Aladesanmi (General Surgeon, FTH, Ido Ekiti); Dr. O.J. Taiwo (Anatomic Pathologist, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti); Dr. Ogunseye J.B (National Association of General and Government Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP) National Secretary, Hospital Management Board (HMB), Ekiti); Dr. Olajide .O  (Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), EKSUTH President) and Dr. Atolani Adeniyi (Secretary NAGGMDP, Ekiti State).

    NMA also confirmed the name of the driver as Mr. Ajibola.

    The survivors, according to the statement, are in stable condition and are receiving medical attention under the auspices of the Chairman of the Kaduna State NMA and his team.

    The bereaved families have been contacted and arrangements are in motion to convey the bodies back to Ekiti State.

    Governor Ayo Fayose described the death as “the lowest point in the state’s history and a loss not only to the people but to Nigerians.

    He declared three days of mourning and directed that all flags should be flown at half-mast.

    In a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the governor said: “The death of seven prominent indigenes in one day and at the same period is a burden too heavy to bear and it is my prayer that God will give Ekiti people the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

    “It is my prayer that tragic incident like this will not be witnessed in Ekiti State again and that God will console the families of the deceased.”

    The House of Assembly Speaker, Kola Oluwawole, condoled with the NMA, the people and government.

    He described the death as a grievous moment, not only for Ekiti, but the entire nation and the health sector in particular.

    Minister of Health Prof. Isaac Adewole has described the death as a tragedy.

    Adewole, in a statement, said the ministry was in constant touch with the NMA leadership to ensure proper care for the survivors.

    There was gloom at the NMA secretariat in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, many of the doctors could not fight back tears as they gathered to discuss the incident.

    Senior doctors like the Chief Medical Director of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Dr. Kolawole Ogundipe; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Folake Olomojobi and Chairman, House Committee on Health, Dr. Samuel Omotoso, were among the early callers to the secretariat.

    Ogundipe described the death as a “great shock” revealing that all medical practitioners in the state are in grief.

    He said: “Currently we are grieving and the state is in mourning, this is a monumental loss and we only pray to God to grant us the fortitude to bear the loss.”