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  • Why resident doctors’ strike continues despite negotiations with FG – NMA

    Why resident doctors’ strike continues despite negotiations with FG – NMA

    A deep distrust of the Federal Government’s ability to implement its promises is behind the prolonged strike of resident doctors across the country, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) said on Monday.

    “The problem we face is that when agreements are signed, everybody goes to sleep,” NMA President, Innocent Ujah in a monitored chat with Channels Television on Monday.

    “So there is this distrust among workers. And this is not good for the country; because we expect that those who work for our President should be truthful, honest and should comply with the agreement.”

    There were indications that the three-week-old strike would soon be called off after the doctors, under the aegis of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) met with Federal Government representatives in Abuja over the weekend.

    The meeting was brokered, in part by the NMA, which is the parent body of all doctors in the country.

    But the resident doctors refused to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) produced at the end of the meeting, citing the government’s decision to institute a court action over the strike.

    The resident doctors also said the government must reverse its ‘no work, no pay’ policy.

    Meanwhile, a NARD spokesperson, Julian Ojebo, has said the resident doctors will not resume unless their benefits have been paid.

    Ojebo also speaking on a monitored Channels Television programme said resident doctors have been left ‘impoverished’ by the government’s inability to meet its demands.

    “We are not on strike for added allowances; we are not on strike for any other thing,” Ojebo said. “We are on strike for our normal due salaries that you have not paid from January to July.

    “We are talking about salary shortfalls that you have not paid from 2014 to 2016. We are talking about monies you have not paid for our medical residency training program. These are the issues on the table, and these issues have not been resolved.”

    He noted that signing MoUs was an academic exercise that does nothing to address the doctors’ demands.

    “Payment of our benefits are the only actionable plans that can actually make us sign any memorandum of agreement of terms,” he said.

    “Other than these, I don’t think we are being fair.”

    The resident doctors had earlier embarked on a strike in April.

    The strike was suspended within ten days after the doctors met with Federal Government representatives and an agreement was signed for implementation.

    But nothing was done to implement the agreement, NARD has said, prompting the resumption of the strike action.

    “Twenty-one days of strike action in this country is unacceptable,” the NMA chief Ujah said on Monday. “But the problem is that some people are not doing their work.

    “This strike is avoidable. In April, we were able to convince our colleagues to suspend the action, and nothing happened anymore.

    “They gave a period of notice to government, again nothing happened.

    “The issue is about distrust. So government has to implement at least some of the demands.

    “If the government does its own bit, there is no reason why resident doctors should not go back to work. They are not happy that when issues are raised, implementation becomes a problem.”

  • Stop playing God – Ngige tells Nigerian striking doctors

    Stop playing God – Ngige tells Nigerian striking doctors

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, has advised doctors in the country to be humble and carry themselves with dignity, rather than ‘play God or compete with God’.

    Ngige gave the advice while speaking at the 2nd Summit of Medical Elders Forum (MEF) on Thursday, in Abuja.

    The forum, organized by the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), in collaboration with 50 forward, had as its theme, “Medical Profession: a Look into the Past, Present and Future.”

    Nigige expressed his concerns over the state of health nationwide and opined that the medical profession was in danger.

    “At no time in the history of NMA and the medical association, was I seeing our association and our profession ever being in danger, as I am seeing them now.

    “Many people will not see it, but from where I am sitting and standing, I can see danger ahead.

    “We are one of the oldest professions on earth, metamorphosing from natural and traditional healers to take away pain from people and consequentially save lives.

    “We don’t create lives, God creates, we only preserve people’s lives through the act of God. In doing so, God has given us some powers and those powers are near his own to create.

    “But, there is something God does not want, God does not want when he gives you powers you use it to try to say that you are like him or you are competing with him.

    “God loves you to do that which he has asked you to do; to use that power with humility.

    “Doctors should ask themselves questions; why is it that it’s when your colleagues are in government that you go on the greatest number of strikes?

    “Some of these colleagues were Presidents, Secretary-Generals of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and even NARD,” Ngige asked?

    According to him, Dr Onyebuchi Chukwu and Dr Isaac Adewole have had to face plenty strikes. And since our government came on board, I have consolidated four strikes; something is wrong.

    “We need to ask ourselves some questions and be straightforward with the answers

    “We must start by telling ourselves the truth. You say they dislike doctors, what did you do for them to dislike you?

    “Yes, there is peer envy; yes, some wanted to study medicine and they couldn’t; we know it and if you know it, you carry yourself with dignity and humility,” he added.

    Earlier, NMA’s President, Prof. Innocent Ujah, had said a good number of people within and outside the health sector were envious of doctors, without appreciating the tedious academic process of becoming a doctor.

    “Everybody is envious of the doctor, what is the problem? What have we done? Is it a sin to be intelligent? By the way, we are the most intelligent,” he stated.

    Ujah, who raised concerns over the release of some circulars by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) and the National Universities Commission (NUC), stated that they were contradictory.

    He explained that such contradictions formed part of the reasons behind the disharmony in the nation’s health sector.

    “A circular from the Salaries and Wages Commission is coming out that no more CONMESS for doctors, who are lecturers.

    “But, it is there as a circular, so why is the doctor singled out?

    In Lagos state university, a doctor with fellowship cannot contest the Vice Chancellorship

    “Without a PhD you can’t teach at the clinical level, you can only teach biochemistry or physiology: and you are saying that the best can no longer be a Vice Chancellor.

    “He can become a professor but he can’t become a Vice Chancellor, what kind of contradiction is that?

    “We have written from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to tell them to stop that, if they don’t, we will challenge it, because we cannot take what we are seeing.

    “Some circulars from the NUC are quite contradictory and we need to sort them frontally and you can see the dismemberment.

    “These are the things that cause problems for us. When we try to solve some of these issues other issues crop up.

    “We need support from our elders; people value us but we don’t value ourselves. We should be able to resolve our conflicts and those who are in government should know that they are doctors, you will come back to us,” he said.

    The Executive Director, AHBN, Dr Aminu Magashi, noted that for the health system of any country to deliver quality health care services to the population they serve, there must be strong political leadership commitment and effective health system governance.

    Magashi said others are adequate healthcare financing, human resources for health, effective regulation and legislation, and strong private health sectors.

    He added that the medical and dental profession was critical and key to the socioeconomic and political growth and development of any nation, including Nigeria.

    “The profession, which is driven largely through the Nigerian Medical Association and its affiliate bodies, has been a major pivot for repositioning and advancing the profession.

    He, however, lamented that “the effort of various governments to translate the association’s laudable recommendations for the growth, development and good of the profession, the health system and the Nigerian people, had been less than satisfactory.

    “An association like the NMA, serves as a watchdog of government and through constructive engagement with the government, help to deliver quality and smooth health care delivery to the Nigerian population,” he explained.

    Magashi said both should work as committed partners for progressive developments rather than as antagonists.

  • NMA endorses Astrazeneca vaccine to combat Delta COVID-19 variant

    NMA endorses Astrazeneca vaccine to combat Delta COVID-19 variant

    Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Kwara chapter, says two jabs of the COVID-19 Astrazeneca vaccine are about 92 per cent effective against the Delta variant of the virus.

    The Chairman of the Kwara NMA, Dr Baba Issa, made this known at a news conference organised ahead of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association in Ilorin.

    The Delta variant of the virus is highly contagious and possibly more severe SARS-CoV-2 virus strain, first identified in India.

    It has been dominant in some Indian regions and the UK, and further spread to many countries and recently now in Nigeria.

    The NMA chairman said “I wish to tell you that the Astrazeneca vaccine is effective. We should disregard the myths concerning the safety of the vaccine, including the recent myth about the magnetic nature of COVID-19 vaccines after vaccination.”

    Issa added that Nigerians must re-establish physical distancing and continue to observe preventive measures such as wearing of face mask, use of hand sanitiser and frequently wash hands, among others.

    He lamented the death of members of the association across the country, noting, however, that no member of NMA died in Kwara during active duty.

    But he decried what he called “alarming and dangerous tilting of the balance of doctor/health workers to patient ratio in Kwara and Nigeria as a whole.

    “In Nigeria, there has been a dangerous migration of doctors from states to Federal Government hospitals; and from Nigeria to countries in Europe, America, Canada, Australia, Asia and surprisingly to other African countries.

    “In Kwara, the number of doctors that have left the services of the state in the last one year is high.

    “Many have joined University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), NGOs and other nearby federal hospitals in spite of
    efforts of the state to upgrade amenities.”

    Issa appealed to all tiers of government in the country to stop the dangerous trend by providing better remuneration and to resolve all bottlenecks.”

    He commended the Kwara Government for renovating and upgrading healthcare facilities across the state, and the collaborative efforts with BUA conglomerate in establishing state-of-the-art Cancer Centre.

    The association chairman noted that its 2021 AGM would focus on how citizens could access healthcare at affordable cost.

    He said “this year’s AGM has “Journey to Achieving Universal Health Coverage: Challenges, Prospects and Practical
    Solutions” as its theme.”

  • NMA disowns ‘medical doctor’ with links to bandits in Zamfara State

    NMA disowns ‘medical doctor’ with links to bandits in Zamfara State

    The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has denied media reports connecting medical doctors with banditry in Zamfara State.

    This is contained in a statement signed in Gusau on Friday by the association’s state Chairman and Secretary, Dr Mannir Bature and Dr Remigius Nwachukwu.

    “The attention of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Zamfara State Chapter, has been drawn to a publication from various media organisations with a caption, ‘Police in Zamfara arrest medical doctor, 7 others in connection with banditry.

    “However, we will like to make it clear to the general public that the above caption, which emanated from a joint press statement between the state Ministries of Information and that of Security and Home Affairs is incorrect.

    “Our investigation revealed that the said person is not a medical doctor, but a Medical Laboratory Technician, who is parading himself as a medical doctor to defraud unsuspecting individuals.

    “The person is neither a resident nor does he work in Zamfara state.

    “This clarification becomes necessary owing to the fact that only holder of MBBS, MBChB and BDS are entitled to be called medical doctor,” they said.

  • ICYMI: Your comments may bring down Nigeria’s health sector, NMA warns Ngige

    ICYMI: Your comments may bring down Nigeria’s health sector, NMA warns Ngige

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), said Minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige erred in his claim that resident doctors were not paid by government or institutions outside Nigeria.

    NMA said, in a statement signed by its president and secretary-general Innocent Ujah and Philips Ekpe respectively, that the claim was a hate speech and capable of bringing down the nation’s health sector.

    The doctors said against Ngige’s claim, resident doctors were paid where they worked in the US and UK, as well as other parts of the world.

    “The NMA is totally in disagreement with the way and manner some government functionaries carry out their duties, which is completely insensitive to the plight of the people. Accountability is the fulcrum for good governance in all facets and we do not demand anything less from those charged with the responsibility of governing the people,” part of the statement read.

    According to NMA, government should improve the welfare of doctors and other health workers, saying it was the most sustainable means of delivering quality health care to the people of the country.

    “Perhaps, this will help to reduce the current brain drain being experienced, that is dealing a deadly blow to our health care delivery system, which has made our hospitals to be regarded as mere consulting clinics,” the group added.

    Ngige had said, in an interview with Channels Television on Friday April 2, 2021, that resident doctors were only paid in Nigeria, but not in the US, UK and other nations.

  • NMA backs striking resident doctors, accuses Ngige of hate speech

    NMA backs striking resident doctors, accuses Ngige of hate speech

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has declared support for the striking doctors under the aegis of Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).

    The foremost medical body also accused the Minister of Labour and Productivity Dr. Chris Ngige of hate speech for the way he spoke during a Channels Television aired on Friday night.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the minister had during the interview said will Federal Government will implement the ‘no work, no pay’ on the striking National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) if they refuse to resume work.

    “By Tuesday, I will invite them back. If they become recalcitrant, there are other things I can do. There are weapons in the Labour Laws, I will invoke them. There is no work, no pay.

    Their employers have a role also to keep their business afloat, to keep patients alive. They can employ local doctors. We won’t get there but if we are going to get there, we will use that stick” the minister said during the interview.

    In a swift response the NMA tackled claims by Ngige who also doubles as a medical doctor. Read press release below:

    PRESS RELEASE
    RESIDENT DOCTORS ARE PAID ALL OVER THE WORLD

    The attention of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has been drawn to a recent live interview granted on Channels TV on Friday, 2nd April 2021, by the Honourable Minister of Labour and Productivity, HE, Senator Dr Chris Ngige OON.

    In the interview, the Honourable Minister alleged that in the United States of America (USA) and other developed countries, Resident Doctors pay for their residency training abroad, whereas in Nigeria, the government pays them.

    In as much as we appreciate the efforts being made by the government to resolve the issues that have led to this avoidable and unnecessary industrial action by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) wishes to clarify the misinformation by the Honourable Minister in
    the interview, which is seriously viewed to be a hate speech capable of bringing down the health system in Nigeria and thereby worsening the health care delivery and further escalate the rather unimaginable current brain drain.

    In the United States of America and other developed countries, Resident Doctors work as they are being trained and they are paid by their employers. In the United Kingdom, the employer of Resident Doctors is the NHS, which is similar to what is obtainable in Nigeria.

    Furthermore, Residents also pay to take their postgraduate Medical examinations in the developed countries, which is what also obtains in Nigeria.

    The NMA is totally in disagreement with the way and manner some government functionaries carry out their duties’ which is completely insensitive to the plight of the people.

    Accountability is the fulcrum for good governance in all facets and we do not demand anything less from those charged with the responsibility of governing the people.

    In order to resolve the lingering crisis in the Nigerian health sector, the NMA urges the government to prioritise and improve the healthcare delivery to Nigerians and at the same time improve the welfare of Medical practitioners and other health workers, which is considered the most sustainable means of delivering quality health care to the people who in the first place elected them.

    Perhaps, this will help to reduce the current brain drain being experienced that is dealing a deadly blow to our health care delivery system, which has made our hospitals to be regarded as mere Consulting Clinics.

    The NMA wishes to assure Nigerians that it is willing to partner with the governments towards enhancing quality health care delivery in Nigeria, despite the persistent provocation from its functionaries.

  • Why COVID-19 cases are increasing in Nigeria – NMA

    Why COVID-19 cases are increasing in Nigeria – NMA

    The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Cross River State Branch has blamed the increase in the number of COVID-19 infections in Nigeria on inadequate Isolation/treatment centers across the country.

    The Chairman of Nigeria Medical Association, Cross River State Branch, Dr Innocent Abang, disclosed this to journalists via telephone on Saturday.

    Abang, who regretted the increase of the second wave of the pandemic, insisted that inadequate isolation/treatment centers exposed many people who wouldn’t be prone to the pandemic to be easily infected.

    “Concerning, the isolation centres; there is a lot left undone as many states don’t have adequate isolation centres to meet the number of patients presenting in the centres,” Abang said.

    “Another very important aspect of COVID-19, which is being ignored is the Holding Bay, where patients who are suspected cases of COVID-19 are kept until their results are out.

    “This is important because to reduce disease transmission, the Holding Bay must be in place to keep suspected cases from the general population or other patients in the hospital.”

    Abang also said that a study conducted by some persons in the Western part of Nigeria revealed that most Nigerians are not interested in participating in COVID-19 clinical trials.

    “This is due largely to ignorance of most Nigerians about the disease and its severity/ Many Nigerians are still skeptical about the reality of the disease.

    “Religious beliefs, Cultural influences and ignorance, contributes to the unwillingness of most Nigerians to accept the existence of COVID-19, let alone accepting a vaccine which is believed to affect their DNA or is used to regulate their lives.

    “In addition, the government of Nigeria is not ready for an adequate vaccination for her citizens because they are aiming at vaccinating just 40% of the population.

    “The first group to be vaccinated is expected to be the health workers and first responders, those aged 50 years and above and those with co-morbidities.

    “This will leave a large group unvaccinated if Nigerians showed interest at all for the vaccination” he stated.

  • Why drugs are expensive in Nigeria – NMA Chief

    Dr Adedayo Aderibigbe, Vice Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kwara chapter, has blamed the high cost of drugs in the country on his importation levies.

    Aderibigbe stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Ilorin.
    The medical practitioner lamented that most of the drugs that could cure serious ailments were not being produced locally.

    “Nigeria cannot produce most of the drugs. Even the vaccines that we give those children in government hospitals were donated to Nigeria.

    “That is why they say in most hospitals that they are not charging you for vaccine but for cotton wool and spirit.

    “Unless government engages pharmaceutical companies to produce those drugs locally, they will remain expensive and out of the reach of an average Nigerian. This is because the importation depends on exchange rate.

    “These are some of the factors responsible for the high cost of drugs, especially the ones for non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes.

    On what the NMA was doing to address these challenges, the NMA chief said it was beyond the powers of the association.

    Aderibigbe said that some of the pharmaceutical companies in the country could produce drugs at more affordable prices, if an enabling environment was created for them by government.

    He also called on relevant regulatory agencies in the country to ensure production of genuine products.

    “Most of the drugs you see in Nigeria today are either fake or substandard.

    “When you go to hospital and they give you 500mg paracetamol. Subject the drug to laboratory test and you will discover that it is only 200mg as against the 500mg that was put on it.

    “How will it then work? How will the person on whom the drug was administered get better?, he queried, adding “these are some of the problems we are having.”

  • Assault: NBA declares legal battle against Nigerian Army

    Assault: NBA declares legal battle against Nigerian Army

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has said it shall commence legal proceedings against the Nigerian Army for what it described as the gross violation of the human rights of one Dr Raphael Onyemekehia.

    The association made this known in a statement signed by Jonathan Ekperusi (Esq.), Chairman of the Effurun branch of the NBA.

    According to the statement, Dr Onyemekehia was returning from work when he was accosted by personnel of the Nigerian Army, claiming to be enforcing the curfew imposed by the Delta State Government, allegedly assaulted the doctor.

    “We are informed that despite introducing himself as a Medical Doctor and showing his identity (ID) card to the Soldiers, they thoroughly humiliated and tortured Dr. Raphael Onyemekehia by forcing him to swim in the gutter for about 30 minutes at gunpoint and flogging him whilst he was complying with the inhuman, dehumanizing, degrading and tortuous punishment,” the statement reads.

    The NBA condemned in the strongest terms, the torture and dehumanizing treatment allegedly meted out on Dr Onyemekehia, who is a Consultant Nephrologist and Proprietor of Mount Horeb Clinic & Dialysis Centre, Effurun.

    The association consequently is demanding immediate apology and payment of adequate compensation to Onyemekehia by the Nigerian Army.

    “We further demand that the perpetrators of the dastardly act be immediately fished out and appropriate disciplinary measures enforced against them.

    “Should the Nigerian Army fail, refuse and/or neglect to comply with these demands, the Human Rights Committee of the NBA Effurun Branch shall commence legal proceedings against the Army to remediate the said injustices,” the statement reads.

    Read full statement below:

    The Nigerian Bar Association, Effurun Branch condemns the Gross Violation of Dr. Raphael Onyemekehia’s Fundamental Rights in Effurun, Delta State on Saturday, 24 October, 2020; Demands for Apology, Adequate Compensation and Discipline Against Soldiers.

    The attention of the Nigerian Bar Association, Effurun Branch has been drawn to the gross violation of the fundamental rights of Dr. Raphael Onyemekehia of Mount Horeb Clinic & Dialysis Centre, Effurun, Delta State by personnel of the Nigerian Army on Saturday, 24 October, 2020 at Airport Junction, Effurun, Delta State.

    Reports reaching us from the leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Warri revealed that Dr. Raphael Onyemekehia was returning from work when he was accosted by overzealous Nigerian Army personnel who claimed to be enforcing the curfew imposed by the Delta State Government.

    We are informed that despite introducing himself as a Medical Doctor and showing his identity (ID) card to the Soldiers, they thoroughly humiliated and tortured Dr. Raphael Onyemekehia by forcing him to swim in the gutter for about 30 minutes at gunpoint and flogging him whilst he was complying with the inhuman, dehumanizing, degrading and tortuous punishment.

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Effurun Branch condemns in the strongest terms, the torture and dehumanizing treatment meted out on Dr. Raphael Onyemekehia, a Consultant Nephrologist and Proprietor of Mount Horeb Clinic & Dialysis Centre, Effurun by the Army. At a time when the nation is trying to recover from the sad incidence involving the Army and the #EndSARS Protesters at Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos, we find the gross violation of the fundamental rights of Dr. Raphael Onyemekehia insensitive and callous. The conduct of the Soldiers grossly violates the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, the Anti-Torture Act and other applicable instruments. We believe that the Soldiers knew or ought reasonably to have known that Dr. Raphael Onyemekehia, as a Medical Doctor, is an essential services personnel, exempted from the curfew restrictions.

    Consequently, we hereby demand immediate apology and payment of adequate compensation to Dr. Raphael Onyemekehia by the Nigerian Army. We further demand that the perpetrators of the dastardly act by immediately fished out and appropriate disciplinary measures enforced against them. Should the Nigerian Army fail, refuse and/or neglect to comply with these demands, the Human Rights Committee of the NBA Effurun Branch shall commence legal proceedings against the Army to remediate the said injustices.

  • Abia doctors threaten strike

    Abia doctors threaten strike

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Abia Chapter, has threatened to go on strike over harassment of its members by security operatives.

    Chairman and Secretary of the chapter, Dr Chimezie Okwuonu and Dr Robinson Ugwuanyi, respectively, made the warning in a statement issued in Umuahia on Friday.

    The duo stated that medical practitioners on duty were being harassed by security operatives even as they were exempted from the 24-hour curfew imposed by Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu

    They called on the state government and relevant agencies to address the development and protect members in the line of duty during the period.

    “We can no longer tolerate the insult from the security agents who have been persistently harassing our members on the line of duty.

    “If the government of Abia and her security personnel do not come up with practical and adequate measures to protect our members in the next 24 hours, we may be left with no choice than to ask our members to stay away from work till further notice.

    “We also call on heads of health institutions in the state to liaise with the state government and security agents to end the harassment,’’ they added.

    The chapter would set up an “Emergency Response Team’’ within the next 24 hours to assist in providing appropriate and timely medical interventions during this period, they stated.

    The chairman and secretary urged NMA members in the state to give prompt attention to wounded victims of the on-going protest and encouraged them to be vigilant and to keep safe as they discharge their duties.

    They declared that the association’s “2020 Physicians Week’’, which was billed to hold from Oct. 19 to Oct. 25 had been suspended.