TEXT OF A PRESS CONFERENCE ADDRESSED BY THE PRESIDENT, DR. DANIEL GANA, mni, AT THE END OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (NEC) MEETING OF THE NIGERIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION HELD AT HOTEL DE LA PAIX, ABA, ABIA STATE ON 18TH AUGUST, 2007

PREAMBLE

The National Executive Council (NEC) meeting was declared opened by the Executive Governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Ahamefula Orji, ably represented by the Deputy Governor, Comrade (Prince) Chris Akoma. In attendance were also the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Dora Akunyili, Dr Kabir Mustafa, representing the Executive Secretary of NHIS, Dr. Jules Milogo, from Retractable Technologies Inc. Texas and Mr. Joshua Umokoro, Servicom Consultant. In his address, the Governor advised the Association to look inwards and redirect its members to ethical practices and pledged the continued support of the people and Government of Abia State for the Association.

Prof. Frank Akpuaka, who delivered a guest lecture on Human Resources for Health – the case for Nigeria succinctly, highlighted the looming crisis in the health sector if health workforce situation and the brain drain syndrome amongst healthcare professionals are not holistically addressed. This confirms the Association’s position over the years and NMA appeals to Government to rise up to the occasion before our health care delivery system collapses.

In his opening remarks, the National President, Dr. Daniel Gana, mni, reiterated that the present executive had resolved to change the course of the Association for the better. This he said is being achieved by organising a scientific session preceding every NEC meeting to satisfy the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirement for annual renewal of practicing license by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN). He stressed that NMA frowns at unethical practices and that the Association is ready to partner with the government in this direction. He lamented the collapse of the primary health care and enjoined government at all levels to strengthen this tier of health care system without which the secondary and tertiary health care systems cannot function effectively.

RESOLUTIONS

After an extensive deliberation, the following resolutions were made:

1. The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) congratulates the newly appointed Minister of Health, Prof. Nike Grange and implores her to institute practical measures to revamp the health sector as all we had in the last four years have been more of theory and less of action.

2. There is need for government to play a greater role in the delivery of good health care system to Nigerians.

3. The Association supports the steps been taken by NAFDAC in the fight against fake and adulterated drugs and supports measures to standardise the drug distribution system in Nigeria and efforts at ensuring compliance with pharmacovigilance by health practitioners.

4. The Association has investigated the case of an armed robber, Obasesam Ubi Obono, who claims to be a medical doctor and we wish to inform all Nigerians that there is no such name in the Medical Register. We call on Nigerians and the police to be very wary of all shades of quacks and criminals claiming to be authentic Medical Practitioners.

5. The Association commends the support given to the NHIS by the Government and urge Nigerian Doctors to continue to collaborate with NHIS in order to ensure the provision of affordable, accessible and efficient health care delivery in Nigeria. The scope should be expanded to accommodate more Nigerians outside the formal sector while the present inadequacies.

6. The Association is committed to support NAFDAC and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to regulate the activities of the Traditional Medicine Practitioners in Nigeria. NMA implores these agencies to check reckless advertisement and their spurious claims.

7. DOCTORS REMUNERATIONS

The Nigerian Medical Association calls on the new administration of President Umar Yar’Adua to urgently put in motion the process of approving the Medical Salary Scale (MSS) which Doctors have demanded for since 2003 and right the wrongs created by the new Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Scale (CONTISS) salary structure. This has become very urgent to forestall the brain drain which continue to adversely affect the nations health system.

8. CRISIS IN OSUN STATE HEALTH SYSTEM

The Association notes with concern the present crisis in the health sector of Osun State and call on the Government to immediately rescind the purported sack of Doctors in the state employment to create an enabling environment for arbitration by the National Secretariat of the Nigerian Medical Association. NMA support the demand of the doctors as just and legitimate.

9. SECURITY SITUATION IN NIGERIA

The Association is worried by the deteriorating security situation in the country particularly in the Niger Delta and hereby calls on Government and its security agencies to immediately take steps to curb these illegalities and address once and for all the security and environmental situation in the area.

10. ELECTION TRIBUNALS

The Association congratulates the President, Alhaji Umar Musa Yar’Adua, on his commitment to uphold the rule of law. We enjoin the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to obey all tribunal rulings to ensure justice. This will prevent breakdown of law and order and the attendant loss of lives and properties.

11. COMPENSATION FOR VICTIMS OF AIRCRASH

The NMA is worried that while the Insurance Company has compensated the ADC Airline for its aircraft that was lost, the bereaved families of the victims of the aircraft have not been compensated. This is highly unfair and grossly insensitive. We call on the Federal Government to intervene so as to alleviate the sufferings of the families of the nine Medical Doctors in the aircraft and all other bereaved families.

12. We commend the efforts of Abia State Government under the leadership of Chief T.A. Orji towards improving healthcare delivery in the State and we support the actions of the Government in recovering land belonging to Abia State University Teaching Hospital, (ABSUTH), which was wrongly allocated to some influential individuals in the past.

APPRECIATION

The Association wishes to express its appreciation to the people and government of Abia State for the support given to Abia State NMA towards the successful hosting of this National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.

DR. DAN GANA, mni
PRESIDENT