COMMUNIQUE AT THE END OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (NEC) MEETING OF THE NIGERIAN MEDICAL ASSOCAITON (NMA) HELD AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE, ABUJA ON SATURDAY, 10TH NOVEMBER, 2007.

PREAMBLE

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) held its quarterly National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Saturday 10th November, 2007 at the International Conference Centre in the Nigerian Capital Abuja. The meeting was scheduled to coincide with the Africa Medical Association (AFMA) 2nd Council Session held at the same venue.

Delegates to the NEC meeting used the opportunity to attend the Scientific session of AFMA Council with its theme “Millennium Development Goals in Africa” and sub theme “ Global Health Security: The Challenges”. The Head, Hospital Services, Federal Ministry of Health Dr. S. A. Adetunji represented the Honourable Minister of Health, Professor Adenike Grange. In his opening address, the president of the Nigerian Medical Association Dr. Daniel Gana, mni, reiterated the importance of MDGs but regretted that midway to 2015 there were no indications that Nigeria would meet the set targets. He enjoined Medical and Dental Practitioners to find ways of assisting the government to meet the challenges.

The president of AFMA, Dr. Kgosi Letlape, in his remarks urged members to ensure that they work in harmony with other members of the health team irrespective of their class. He said that doctors should be united against wars and internecine feuds in the continent as wars do not only destroy infrastructure, create physical and mental injuries, they also destroy economies of African countries. He encouraged doctors not only to provide leadership but also be available for positions when created. In her address, Mrs. Amina Ibrahim, Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs reiterated government’s commitment towards achieving the MDGs by 2015 by strengthening of the Primary Healthcare System as well as other health related aspects of the MDGs. She further hinted of the government’s efforts to overcome the hindrances caused by our weak Health System.

RESOLUTIONS:

After an exhaustive deliberation and based on consensus, the following resolutions were reached:

1. The NEC noted with regrets the agitation by some professionals in the health sector to take on duties other than that which their training allows them. So as not to mislead the unsuspecting public, a medical doctor is one who has undergone the required training, which in Nigeria does not take less than six years in an MDCN-accredited medical school, a compulsory one year internship and is registered with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), upon recommendation from four consultants or Chief Medical Officers as evidence of having successfully completed the mandatory pre-registration internship. Anyone who does not fall into this category is a quack. The responsibility of the care of a patient from admission to discharge is that of the medical doctor. The NMA would not sit by and allow any group of professionals in the health sector to prescribe drugs or conduct ward rounds in public or private hospitals as that is tantamount to a very ‘proficient’ taxi driver wanting to be certified as an airline pilot, a job for which he is not trained.

2. The meeting reiterates its earlier decision to reject CONTISS, in whatever form as proposed and implemented by government for Doctors as earlier argued by the Association. CONTISS does not take into consideration Contributory Pension Scheme, National Health Insurance and Housing deductions, all of which are percentages of basic pay. These schemes were established by acts of parliament, therefore CONTISS is against the rule of law and due process which the present government of President Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua stands for. Moreover, CONTISS has no universal applicability for medical workers and taxes Doctors allowances as against the MSS/MSSS circulars of 2001, 2003 and 2006. For the avoidance of doubt the Association would not be able to restrain its members if by December 31st, 2007 Government does not implement MSS/MSSS for doctors.

3. The meeting supports the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) in its efforts to rid the country of quacks and enjoins her members to cooperate with the inspectorate division of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria. But the Association frowns at the present practice where the entire proceedings at the Disciplinary Tribunal of the Council are given unlimited press coverage instead of the final judgment or footages of the trials. While the Association does not support indiscipline and professional misconduct by its members, it feels that the fundamental human rights of members who have cases to answer at the tribunals should be respected. The leadership of the association has been mandated to engage MDCN in dialogue over the matter.

4. The meeting frowns at the penchant of some state governments to recruit expatriate doctors with questionable qualifications without clearance from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria. It calls on our Immigration Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Embassies to forward the credentials of such “doctors” to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) for verification before they are allowed to practice in the country.

5. The meeting democratically elected the South East geopolitical zone to host the secretariat of the Association for two years after the tenure of the present National Officers Committee (NOC). By this the zone would produce the next President and Secretary-General of the Association.

6. NEC dissolved the Executive Committees of the two factions of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), and resolved to support the formation of a unified, strong NARD through the convocation of a unity Annual General meeting of NARD. The committee saddled with this responsibility is headed by Dr. Nma Wokocha and consist of President, MDCAN, Dr. Alfred Ogbemudia, Dr. Yinka Buhari, Dr. Buchi Chukwu, Dr. Abdul-Salaam and Dr. Ikpeme Ikpeme.

7. The Association remains grateful to individuals and corporate bodies for their immeasurable contributions to the success of the AFMA Council and NEC meetings.

Dr. Daniel Gana, mni President

Dr. Is’haq Abdul Secretary-General