COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE NIGERIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (NMA) ISSUED AT THE END OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT MULTIPURPOSE HALL, GOMBE STATE UNIVERSITY, GOMBE ON 13TH DECEMBER, 2008
PREAMBLE
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) held its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on 13th December, 2008 at the Multipurpose Hall, Gombe State University, Gombe, a young State capital city with enviable infrastructural facilities that portray the optimal utilization of available (lean) resources and commendable good governance by the exemplary Governor, Alhaji (Dr). Mohammad Danjuma Goje (Sarkin Yakin Gombe).
During the opening ceremony, the Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji (Dr). Mohammad Danjuma Goje, represented by the articulate, amiable, efficient and effective Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Moh’d Isa Umar welcomed NMA NEC members and highlighted the obvious giant strides of his administration in delivering democratic dividends to the people of Gombe State, especially in the Health Sector.
Earlier in his address, the President, Nigerian Medical Association, Dr. Prosper Ikechukwu Igboeli congratulated the state Governor and noted his commendable achievements which include well equipped hospitals, free Antenatal and Post-natal care policy, 300% increase in salaries and wages of Health Workers, the establishment of Gombe Airport, the State University among others and reiterated NMA’s call for resuscitation/strengthening of our Primary Health Care System, called for sustenance of the free maternal and free under-five health programmes and partnership with NMA to fight Medical quackery.
Delivering his guest lecture on “Education in Crisis; Genesis and the way forward” the erudite vice chancellor of Gombe State University, Prof. Abdullahi Mahdi bemoaned the colonial educational emphasis on non-technological oriented arts courses, the lopsided growth of education which placed the north at a disadvantage, and advocated for motivation and emphasis on courses that will stimulate technological advancement and national development. He posited that the ultimate stimulus for high quality education is true democracy.
In her good will message, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, Hajia Amina Ibrahim called on NMA to provide Patriotic Patient-Oriented Services, provide technical support to her office, support Primary Health Care and mobilize her members to work in rural areas.
RESOLUTIONS
1. NEC recognized the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) officers elected at the AGM held in Port Harcourt in September 2008.
2. NEC called on government to facilitate the completion of on-going negotiation with NMA to resolve the dispute over CONTISS and reiterated our demand for a medical salary structure. The speed of negotiation is unacceptable (having lasted 23 months) and Nigerians should hold the government responsible if NMA members withdraw their services any moment from now.
3. NEC dissolved the executive officers of NMA branches that have not conducted their AGM/Election and constituted caretaker committees of chairmen of affiliate bodies in those branches to administer them until elections are held.
4. NEC called on NAFDAC to be cautious in issuing NAFDAC numbers. Products issued numbers should be regularly and closely monitored to ensure quality. Health professionals involved in the exercise should live up to their professional ethics and competence to avoid such controversies as generated by the “MY PIKIN” product.
5. NEC called for the restructuring and proper funding of our educational system to maintain high standards and ensure quality products.
6. The Association condemns the state of insecurity in the country, especially the kidnapping of persons including doctors in their consulting rooms.
7. NEC condemned the high handedness and barbarism exhibited by the Naval personnel who recently assaulted and stripped naked, a lady in Lagos for not giving way to their convoy.
8. NEC decried the incessant civil disturbances especially the recent one in Jos. The inability of the government and state security apparatus to detect and timely contain this situation is unacceptable and every effort should be made to prevent a recurrence.
9. NEC specially commended the Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji (Dr). Mohammad Danjuma Goje, and his exemplary Commissioner for Health for their efforts which have transformed the Health care delivery system in Gombe state to a model that should be emulated by other states.
10. NEC congratulates the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the confirmation of his victory at the 2007 Presidential polls by the Supreme Court of Nigeria and pleads with our Servant – Leader to appoint a Medical practitioner as the next minister of Health, as we sincerely believe that no other professional is better equipped to supervise Health Care Delivery under our national circumstances and in the absence of a Surgeon-General and Chief Medical Adviser to the Federal Government.
11. NEC reiterates its call for the establishment of the office of the Surgeon-General who should be the Chief Medical Adviser to the Federal Government. It should be noted that Late (Dr). Samuel Manuwa retired as Chief Medical Adviser to the Federal Government and was replaced by Late Dr. (Chief) Adesuyi and for inexplicable reasons, this office ceased to exist after Dr. Adesuyi died in 1968.
APPRECIATION
The NMA is immensely grateful to the government and people of Gombe State for their warm reception and hospitality and urges the state Governor not to relent in delivering democratic dividends to his people.
Signed
Dr. Prosper Ikechukwu Igboeli
President | | Dr. Kenneth Johnson Okoro
Secretary-General |
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