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Tag: doctors

  • Brain drain: We’re losing doctors daily – NMA

    Brain drain: We’re losing doctors daily – NMA

    Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ogun chapter, on Monday, called on the state government to declare a state of emergency on the health sector to address the issue of brain drain among medical doctors.

    NMA Chairman in the state, Dr. Adekunle Ashimi, made the call at a news conference to flag off the 2022 Physicians’ Week, with the theme: “Nigeria’s Healthcare Delivery System and the 2023 Democratic Transition: A Time to Change the Narrative.”

    Ashimi expressed regret at the rate at which brain drain had hit the country’s health sector, saying that no fewer than 10,296 doctors who obtained their degrees in Nigeria were currently practising in the United Kingdom.

    According to him, Nigeria has the third highest number of foreign doctors working in U.K., after Pakistan and India.

    This, he said, had made the country lose its human resources in geometric progression.

    According to him, until government declares a state of emergency in the health sector, the trend may continue to linger.

    “We call on our government to urgently declare emergency action in Nigeria’s health sector for the sake of the citizens.

    “As the situation gets worse, doctors, who stayed behind, are seriously overworked, as bureaucracy has made it difficult for heads of public hospitals to replace the doctors who had left.

    “Therefore, those who are working now begin to see reasons to join the train and leave the country.

    “The situation our health care is facing now means one doctor to 15,000 patients, which may be worse if the situation is not addressed,” he said.

    Ashimi also appealed to government to review the Consolidated Medical Salary Scheme, saying that there was the need for commensurate hazard allowance for health workers.

    He noted that the review of CONMESS had been due since 2014, based on the 2009 collective bargaining agreement signed by the government to review it after five years.

    He also urged the state government to start paying the revised hazard allowance without delay, as few states had been paying it ahead of the Federal Government.

    The week-long programme will feature a scientific conference, community outreach and a symposium.

  • See photos shared on FB by serial killer doctor who killed his girlfriend, wife and cab driver

    See photos shared on FB by serial killer doctor who killed his girlfriend, wife and cab driver

     

    Sadly, before Adeyemi’s gory activities were brought to light, he was leading a normal life and even shared pictures of himself with his wife and son on Facebook.

    The Chief Medical Director at Kaiama General Hospital, Kwara State, Dr Adio Adeyemi Adebowale, who allegedly killed four people in the space of one year, had posted pictures of himself and his family two months before his arrest.

    It was earlier reported that Adeyemi, an indigene of Offa, Kwara State, was arrested by the Edo State Police Command after he killed a cab driver in Benin City, Edo state, dumped his corpse in the bush, and absconded with his vehicle.

    Adeyemi, who has been dubbed a ‘serial killer’, also confessed that he kidnapped and murdered his girlfriend, Ifeoluwa, who was declared missing in Tanke area of Kwara state in 2021.

    An investigation was launched into the gruesome murders and in the process, the decomposing remains of two women were found in his office.

    One of the women was found inside a shallow grave dug in his office while the corpse of the second woman was found in a garbage bin. While the former is yet to be identified, the latter was identified as a housewife, Nafisat, who was declared missing by her husband.

    Before the suspect’s gory activities were brought to light, he was leading a normal life and even shared pictures of himself with his wife and son on Facebook.

    In one of the pictures he shared in July, the suspect donned a brown Kaftan and was complimented by his unsuspecting followers.

  • Detectives unearth how Doctor killed, buried two women inside his office

    Detectives unearth how Doctor killed, buried two women inside his office

     

    Detectives in Kwara have found the corpse of a woman buried in the office of the Chief Medical Director of Kaiama General Hospital, Dr Abbass Adeyemi.

    The corpse of the woman simply identified as Nofisat Halidu was found in a shallow grave in the hospital in the presence of her husband, according to the police.

    Adeyemi, who is currently in detention, had been linked with different cases of murder.

    Last month, the Edo State Police Command arrested Adeyemi over the killing of one Emmanuel Yobo Agbovinuere, a taxi driver.

    The suspect, who hails from Offa LGA of Kwara State, was alleged to have killed the victim on September 3, in Benin City and dumped his corpse at Otofure community on the Benin-Lagos highway.

    The doctor, who graduated from the University of Ilorin (Unilorin) in 2013, was said to have met the late Agbovinuere (cab driver) sometime in July, 2022, at a hotel and engaged his services.

    However, Paul Odama, the new Commissioner of Police in Kwara, had ordered a fresh probe into the case of Halidu.

    According to Ajayi Okansami, Police Public Relations Officer in Kwara, it was during investigation that the cases were unraveled.

    “The Kwara State Police Command wishes to inform the public of the result of an investigation ordered by CP Paul Odama psc (+) the newly posted Commissioner of Police Kwara State. On assumption of office, as commissioner of police Kwara State, while going through some petitions written by some citizens, a particular case struck the CP regarding a reported case of one missing lady by name Nofisat Halidu ‘F’ in Kaiama, Kaiama Local government area of Kwara State, on 21/11/2021.

    “The CP immediately ordered the setting up of a high powered investigation team led by the deputy Commissioner of Police in the State CID, to unravel the mystery surrounding the kidnap case and other unresolved cases before his assumption of Office.

    “Based on the CP order, investigation into the cases began on Friday 30/9/2022. Working on a lead provided by the arrest and confession of one Dr Adio Adeyemi Adebowale ‘M’ in Edo State confirming he killed one Ifeoluwa ‘F’ his girlfriend who was declared missing in Tanke area of Ilorin sometimes in 2021 and her dead body later discovered in a bush in Alapa area of Ilorin where he dumped it.

    “Incidentally, the said Doctor was the chief medical director of Kaiama general hospital, investigation led the team to Kaiama general hospital where the suspect’s office was forced opened, a cursory look at the office presented a suspicious sight of a freshly cemented floor tiles, curiously the tiles were broken and a gory sight welcomed the detectives, behold, lying inside the shallow grave was a decomposing carcass of an unidentified female.

    “Further search of the office led to the opening of a trash can where another body of a lady later identified as the earlier reported missing Nofisat Halidu ‘f’ identified by the husband, one Mr Halidu and other members of the community who were present at the scene at the time of the search.

    “Other items recovered in the detained doctors office include, two telephone handsets found in the hand bag of one of the ladies found in the doctor’s drawer. Two female handbags, a female wig, a veil and a female pant.”

  • Stay back in Nigeria and help us – FG begs doctors, nurses

    Stay back in Nigeria and help us – FG begs doctors, nurses

    The Minister of State for Health, Hon. Joseph Ekumankama, on Monday, reiterated the effort of the Federal Government to address the brain drain in the country.

    Ekumankama call on the doctors and nurses to remain in the country to fight current issue affecting the health sector.

    The minister who spoke with newsmen while inaugurating various projects at the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Meta, Lagos, identified brain drain as the major challenge affecting the health sector currently.

    He said: “The greatest challenge facing the sector presently is the doctors and nurses leaving the country but I want to rather encourage them to stay back seeing the effort the government is putting.

    “We can attest to it that the government in the last three years has released 100 percent of the budget for the health sector.

    “As a sacrifice, I want to encourage them to stay back and help us revitalise the health sector and we have witnessed that today with what is on ground in this hospital.

     

  • We knew Yinka was going to die as doctors told us he had just six months to live– Obey

    We knew Yinka was going to die as doctors told us he had just six months to live– Obey

     

    …says when the news broken to me it was painful

    Mourning veteran and well-respected juju musician, Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, has said that despite the efforts he made to help his late son, Olayinka, to ‘fight his weaknesses’, he did not succeed.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (tngy) recalls that Olayinka, 48, was said to have passed away on Friday, July 31, 2022, and interred the next day.

    In a statement released, the iconic musician also noted that he was starting a new ministry tagged, ‘Freedom from Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Ministry’ as part of his efforts to join forces with the war against alcoholism and drug addiction, especially among young Nigerians and those in the Diaspora.

    The statement read in part, “The doctors called me six months ago to inform me that Yinka had less than six months to live.

    “It was very painful and bad news that a father must not hear about his son.

    “Since then, l went back to the Holy Spirit to teach me what to do and the result of my communication with the Holy Spirit is the launching of this ministry.

    “I have received several condolence messages from all and sundry. l appreciate everyone for their love and concern. l also thank Yinka’s friends for their efforts and support.

    “l thank my eldest son, Shina, for ‘coordinating’ all his younger brothers and sisters, for extra and special care for Yinka till the end of his life. I also thank the pastors, elders, and the entire Decross family for everything.

    “Once again, I appreciate all condolences, but let us rather turn further condolences to prayer support of this new ministry to help those who are in pain of alcoholism and drug addiction. Get out of alcoholism, get out of drugs. Jesus loves you.”

    The ‘Board Members’ singer stressed that FADAM will also become an avenue to assist parents and families of alcoholic and drug-addicted children and youths, in turning their lives around and making them better citizens in society.

    The octogenarian also noted that was on a short vacation in the United Kingdom when he learnt about Olayinka’s demise.
    He also assured his fans that the sad incident will not, in any way, affect his pending performance engagements.

    He said, “Please, note that all engagements and commitments remain valid and unaffected.”

     

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  • Brain drain: Doctors seek FG’s intervention or face nationwide strike

    Brain drain: Doctors seek FG’s intervention or face nationwide strike

     

    …issues two-week strike notice

    Disturbed by the brain drain in the health sector, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to implement the new National Minimum Wage, hazard allowance and other approved funds for its members.

    NARD said the alleged Federal Government’s failure to comply with its demand within the time frame may spur the association to embark on industrial action.

    These were contained in a communique jointly signed by NARD’s President, Dare Ishaya, Secretary General, Suleiman Abiodun, Publicity and Social Secretary, Alfa Yusuf respectively, and issued to newsmen in Lafia on Saturday at the end of the July National Executive Council meeting and Scientific Conference of NARD with the theme, ”The Quagmire of Medical Workplace Hazards: Defending A Nation Under A Shade of Arrows.”

    The communique read in part, “The NEC observed with dismay the unnecessary delay in the new Hazard Allowance for over seven months since its approval on December 22, 2021. Also observed is the delay in the payment of the 2020 Medical Residency Training Fund to our members who were omitted despite several efforts made by the association.

    “The NEC noted that several years after the implementation of a New Minimum Wage in 2019, some of our members are yet to benefit from the consequential adjustment of the minimum wage.

    “As the 2023 Appropriation bill is being prepared, the NEC calls for increased funding of the healthcare sector in the country to the tune of 15 per cent budgetary allocation in line with the 2001 Abuja declaration for healthcare financing in Africa and global best practices.

    “The NEC urges the Federal Government to take steps towards curtailing the brain drain in the health sector and find ways of eliminating all bureaucratic bottlenecks in the employment and replacement of the resident doctors, leaving our institutions daily to seek greener pastures.

    “The NEC shall by the expiration of the two-week ultimatum, reconvene to review the progress made so far and take further actions for which the nationwide industrial harmony may not be guaranteed.”

    The communique further enjoined the Federal Government and all State Governments to look
    into the issue of assault on doctors and thoroughly investigate the ongoing cases and put measures in place to halt the menace in the bid to forestall future
    occurrences.

    The resident doctors called on the FG, the Nigerian Governors Forum, stakeholders, and well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the governors of
    Imo, Ondo, Ekiti and Gombe states to urgently pay arrears of salaries and allowances owed its members in the states’ Tertiary Health Institutions, lamenting that the matter was becoming embarrassing.

    While expressing gratitude to the Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, for approving and commencing the payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund to Resident Doctors at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, NARD appealed to the governor to fulfill his promise of employing the wife of their deceased member who died of workplace hazard into the State Civil Service as it was done to the two spouses of their other colleagues who died from Lassa Fever last year.

  • CMD urges anguished relatives of patients to stop attacking doctors

    CMD urges anguished relatives of patients to stop attacking doctors

    Prof. Obinna Onodugo, Chief Medical Director of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, has urged patients’ relatives to stop harassing and visiting violence on doctors.

    He spoke with newsmen  in Enugu on Friday on the side-line of the 46th General and Scientific Meeting of the Nigerian chapter of the West African College of Physicians.

    He decried increasing violence visited on doctors by anguished relatives of patients and asked for an end to the misnomer.

    “We understand that people are experiencing the impact of current economic realities as well as unimaginable pains when they lose loved ones.

    “They should, however, not vent their frustrations on innocent doctors who are doing their best to attend to patients.

    “Inflicting wounds on doctors or chasing them around with dangerous objects do not reverse developments.

    “Our doctors must protected and treated with some level of dignity,’’ Prof.  Onodugo said.

    He lamented the high cost of running health facilities exacerbated by the high cost of diesel to power electricity generating sets.

    “Truly, the daily energy cost is becoming terrible.

    “It is time governments invested in renewable energy to cut the cost of energy, which is imperative in the running of health facilities.

    “ This will further reduce bills payable in these facilities by patients,” he said.

    Prof. Onodugo also told newsmen that senior doctors and consultants, members of the college, would deliberate on increasing brain drain in the medical profession.

    “We will brainstorm on how best to check our well-trained doctors leaving the shores of this country.

    “We want governments at all levels to support doctors and other health professionals with state-of-the-art working tools and make medical equipment available,’’ he said.

    The meeting, which began on July 26 and ends on July 30, has: “Building a resilient health system: Addressing the impact of emerging and re-emerging pandemics” as its theme.

  • Doctors give update on VP Osinbajo after leg surgery

    Doctors give update on VP Osinbajo after leg surgery

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is making good and steady progress, doctors in charge of the vice president’s care at the Duchess International Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, say.

    Osinbajo had on July 16, had a successful surgery on his thigh bone at Duchess International Hospital.

    The Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, Dr Adetokunbo Shitta-Bey, who gave the update on Tuesday in Lagos, said the vice president was making the sort of progress that was expected.

    “He is model patient; we have been able to observe in very close quarters, the very essence of the man.

    “He is very compliant, listens to advice and as such he is able make the sort of progress that we expect.

    “He is undergoing physiotherapy as part of his rehabilitation process.

    “The multidisciplinary team that has been involved with his care have been very pleased with the progress that he is making,” he said.

    Responding to a question about affordability of Duchess International Hospital and quality of service, Shitta-Bey said that services at the facility were not expensive and not out of the reach of many Nigerians.

    He commended the vice president for the choice of patronising a local hospital rather than embarking on medical tourism for a service that was available locally.

    Shitta-Bey said that the affordability of the facility was among the reasons the vice president chose to have a medical procedure here in Nigeria.

    “Just speaking in terms of access to affordable world class health care, we are giving a lot of attention to the very highly emotive subject of access and taking deliberate steps to bring down the barriers that prevent people accessing these essential services.

    “I think this is largely what informed the vice president’s decision to have his procedure here at the Duchess International Hospital.

    “The vice president is a national treasure and it is an honour to have him in our hospital.

    “He receives the same level of safe, healthcare anyone who would come into the hospital would receive, of course, with additional considerations for security because it is a matter of national interest and security.”

    The chief executive officer spoke further about what the hospital was doing to ensure access to affordable healthcare and reverse the trend in medical tourism.

    “For example, to register at the Duchess International Hospital and see a doctor is not more than N5, 000.

    “We have a consultant-led service at the Duchess International Hospital.

    “It is very important that the decisions that are made within the first few minutes are precise decisions.

    “You are far more likely to see a specialist consultant within the first 10 minutes in the hospital unlike in other hospitals in Lagos, and so all of that contribute to the safety and security that patients have when they come in.

    “It is also very important for us that the entire community is able to access the service.

    “We are also focused on bringing our boys and girls back home; all of these contribute to the safe and secure environment that enable people come and have the care that they need.”

    He also spoke on taking deliberate steps to check capital flight as a result of medical tourism.

    According to him, it is really important to have a range of services that will keep money and expertise within this country.

    “It is precisely what the Duchess International Hospital represents.

    “We need not one Duchess Hospital, this country needs about 50 Duchess Hospitals to improve access, bring down the cost of health care, access to essential services, and having specialist, front to end the services.

    “Having 24 hour emergency and critical care, having the right governance arrangement both clinically and administratively based on all the things that contribute to a robust environment,’’ he said.

    On his part, the Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Adedoyin Dosunmu-Ogunbi said Osinbajo was making steady progress.

    “He is walking already, taking a few steps. You can imagine after a major surgery in his right femur bone; that is very encouraging as he continues to recover.”

    The medical director called for urgent reforms to revitalise healthcare delivery in Nigeria, noting that “the sector in Nigeria is highly under resourced’’.

    “All public officials in Nigeria should have their healthcare in Nigeria.

    “If the treatment is available in Nigeria, then they should get it in Nigeria.

    “And in many cases it is available, but if we do not have such services available in Nigeria then they can get it elsewhere,” he said.

  • MDCAN decries mass migration of medical, dental consultants to developed countries

    MDCAN decries mass migration of medical, dental consultants to developed countries

    The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) on Sunday decried that over 100 consultants left 17 Nigerian health institutions for developed countries.

    MDCAN said the mass migration has caused significant disruptions to the Nigerian healthcare ecosystem.

    Speaking with journalists in Abuja, the National President of the association, Dr Victor Makanjuola, who read the communique from the end of the National executive council of the association which was held at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, noted that the Federal Government had failed to address the implementation of the upward review of retirement age of health workers which has further heightened irreversible damage to the nation’s health security.

    Makanjuola also noted that the decision of the Federal Government to release a circular on the new hazard allowance was not in line with the earlier agreement reached during the negotiation with the association.

    He said, “Many recent policies of government appear to target medical professionals and their practice in Nigeria, which adversely impact on quality of healthcare delivery in the country. The recently released circular on review of hazard allowance by the Federal Government is grossly inadequate to address the multiple risks faced by an average health worker in Nigeria and further complicates the near-complete erosion of relativity in remuneration that has existed among different health workers.

    “Despite the announcement of government’s approval of an upward review of retirement age for health workers, there have been administrative impediments to its implementation. The mass exodus of medical and dental consultants to more developed countries has brought significant disruptions to Nigeria’s health care ecosystem. Over 100 consultants had left the services of 17 tertiary health institutions in the last 24 months”.

    He, however, added that the National Executive Council has resolved that “There is need for immediate review of the recently released circular on hazard allowance by the Federal Government, which was not in line with the earlier agreement reached during negotiation with our association.

    “The Federal Ministry of Health, National council on establishments and other relevant agencies should expedite action on the implementation of the upward review of retirement age for health workers to prevent further delay in irreversible damage to the nation’s health security from the brain drain of experienced and high skilled health workforce.

    “Government should, as a matter of urgency, put policies in place to stop the mass exodus of highly-skilled medical and dental consultants to developed countries.

  • Guild calls for publication of health sector fund beneficiaries

    Guild calls for publication of health sector fund beneficiaries

    The Guild of Medical Directors (GMD) has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to publish a list of beneficiaries that benefited from its N100 billion Health Sector Intervention Fund (HSIF).

    The National President, Dr Raymond Kuti, made the call in an interview with the Newsmen in Lagos on Sunday.

    Newsmen reports that the guild is the body of medical doctors, who own and operate private hospitals and clinics in Nigeria.

    Kuti said that the fund ought to catalyse development across the health sector.

    He, however, noted that the majority of members of the guild did not benefit from the fund.

    “To ensure transparency in the disbursement of the fund, the CBN should publish the list of beneficiaries that benefited from the fund.

    “It should make public the names and amount given to them; the same way it published those that got its foreign exchange.

    “That way, we’ll know where the funds are because eight out of every 10 members of the guild that applied for the fund didn’t get it in spite of submitting and meeting the necessary requirements,” he said.

    According to him, inflation is affecting healthcare delivery and access to the fund will assist many health facilities to ameliorate the effect.

    “As at April 2021, diesel was N190, now it is N340; cost of equipment has also increased.

    “We want to continue to give quality healthcare services to Nigerians. However, we need financial support to do this optimally,”Kuti said.

    He noted that extension of support would assist its members who provided 60 per cent of quality medical care for citizens to fulfill their mission of bridging the gap between foreign and local access to medical care in the country.

    The CBN in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, had in April 2020, facilitated a N100 billion intervention fund geared toward the healthcare sector.

    The fund was to provide credit to indigenous pharmaceutical companies and other healthcare value chain players to build or expand capacity.

    It also seeks to increase private and public investment in the healthcare sector, facilitate improvements in healthcare delivery and reduce medical tourism toward enhancing foreign exchange conservation.

    The apex bank said that due to increased demand and to spur economic recovery in the health sector, its Monetary Policy Committee approved that the fund should increase from N100 billion to N200 billion.

    The CBN as at Nov. 2021, said it had disbursed N108.65 billion, supporting 117 healthcare projects which include medical diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, dental services, eye clinics both private and public hospitals, amongst others.