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Tag: NMA

  • Dead cows: NMA warns of impending epidemic outbreak in Ondo

    Dead cows: NMA warns of impending epidemic outbreak in Ondo

    Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ondo State chapter, Dr. Wale Oke, on Wednesday warned that an epidemic outbreak looms in Ijare community, following the killing of over 36 cows by lightning recently.

    Oke said if appropriate steps were not taken to check the health and environmental consequences of the dead cows, the community risked the outbreak of diseases.

    The medical practitioner advised the community to immediately contact the veterinary department in the state for advice on measures to take to prevent any outbreak of an epidemic due to the incident.

    The NMA chairman said: “The community head should inform the appropriate agency in the state, which would decide on how the dead cows would be evacuated and buried appropriately.

    “They should also disinfect the place and the town to prevent epidemic outbreak in the community as a result of decomposed bodies of the cows.”

    Recall that last Saturday lightning reportedly killed the 36 cows on the sacred Oke-Owa hill in Ijare, Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State.

    The herders abandoned their livestock and fled.

    The traditional ruler of the town, the Sapetu of Ijare, Wemimo Olaniran, had said it was a taboo to eat animals killed by lightning.

    He pointed out that spiritual rites would be performed to prevent spiritual consequences of the incident on the natives and residents of the town.

  • Major crisis in Delta state health sector gathers momentum

    Major crisis in Delta state health sector gathers momentum

    A major crisis soon to hit the health sector of Delta state is presently gathering momentum as the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in the State has raised alarm over unwillingness by management of Delta State University (DELSU) to pay its members their entitlement.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports State Chairman of the NMA, Dr Omo Ekeneam while appealing on behalf of affiliate National Association of Doctors in Universities and Health Services (NADUHS) raised the alarm on Tuesday when a delegation of NMA visited Secretary to the Delta State Government (SSG), Chiedu Ebie in Asaba.

    Omo stressed NMA’s members in NADUHS were yet to earn the new call duty allowance as contained in the 2014 circular from the National Incomes and Wages Commission.

    He stressed that though the circular has since been adopted and domesticated in the state since 2016, “the state NMA is aware that several entries were made by NADUHS leadership to the university authorities and the Ministry of Health with no success”.

    “From our interactions, we however gathered that the University is not willing to pay our members their entitlement. This is a matter that is gradually gathering momentum and will soon snowball into a major crisis in the health sector of Delta State.

    “It is on record that in the last four years of this administration, NMA has not gone on strike. It will be very unfortunate if the peace currently being enjoyed in the health sector is breached because of the action of the Vice Chancellor (DELSU)” he said.

    The Delta State NMA Chairman also complained that the salaries of doctors in the State have been devalued due to prevalent economic realities, and appealed for their allowances to be exempted from the State tax.

    “This request is not out of place considering that before the introduction of the current Tax Law, our allowances were not part of the income being taxed and currently in some States like Edo, which is far less endowed like ours, there is an executive order from the State government exempting allowances of all categories of health workers from being taxed” he said.

    He also recommended that the allowances of doctors be exempted from the percentage deduction for the State contributory health scheme, and also for the scheme to be expanded to cater for enrolees who require tertiary medical services.

    Reacting, SSG Ebie reiterated the State government’s commitment to provide enabling environment for medical practitioners to render qualitative healthcare services to Deltans.

    While assuring the doctors that their challenges as presented before him will be examined and considered accordingly, Ebie disclosed that the state contributory health scheme will be developed to cater for tertiary health cases in the future.

    He promised to discuss with relevant stakeholders on how to accommodate the interest of doctors under the scheme, even as he promised to interface with the Vice Chancellor of the state university on how to address the challenges of doctors within the institution.

  • 88 doctors quit Kogi civil service under Gov Yahaya Bello – NMA

    88 doctors quit Kogi civil service under Gov Yahaya Bello – NMA

    The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has called on Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi to reverse the ‘current internal drift’ of doctors and other healthcare workers in the state.

    The association made the appeal in a statement issued to newsmen in Lokoja on Monday by the state NMA Chairman, Dr Kabiru Zubair.

    This followed the exit of 88 medical doctors from the state public service.

    The association however felicitated with the governor on the celebration of his third year anniversary in office and for making healthcare one of his five thematic areas.

    According to Zubair, “Under this administration, a total of 88 doctors have left the Kogi Civil Service; previously, 79 doctors left plus another nine who had succeeded in securing new employment recently.

    “Doctors and other healthcare workers remained the drivers of healthcare delivery anywhere in the world.

    “Steps such as the payment of outstanding salary arrears of doctors and other healthcare workers, implementation of the corrected CONMESS, promotion and annual step increment, among others, are needed to reverse this unfortunate trend.

    “As you commence your fourth year in office, the NMA as the custodian of the health of the people is ready and willing to partner with state government to improve the health sector in Kogi.”

    Zubair said that the association equally felicitated with the Deputy Governor, the SSG, the Chief of Staff, Commissioner for Health, Special Adviser on Health Matters and the entire cabinet members for sustaining the progress made thus far.

    Bello was sworn-in as the fourth civilian governor of Kogi by the state Chief Judge, Justice Nasir Ajanah, on Jan. 27, 2016.

    Zubair, however, commended the state government and Bello for some positive steps the government had taken in repositioning the health sector in the state.

     

  • Save us from quacks, NMA appeals to agencies

    The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has appealed to the police and other security agencies in the country to assist its efforts to curb quackery in the medical practice.
    Dr Tunji Omotayo, Chairman, NMA, Ekiti chapter, made the appeal at a news conference on Sunday in Ado Ekiti, to mark the 2018 Physicians Week.
    According to him, the menace has reached an alarming stage and requires the full support of all security agencies as it has caused untimely deaths of many Nigerians.
    “The activities of quacks are crippling the medical profession and reducing the quality of practice in the country; quackery is the bane of development of any society or profession, including medical practice.
    “It is a danger to the society; patients always commit their lives in the hands of doctors and once they are not saved, then we are all endangered.
    “The police must help us in this regard because we have identified some people parading themselves as qualified medical practitioners but were later found to be quacks.
    “We reported their cases to the police but surprisingly they were let off the hook.
    “We plead that the police should do more; they must partner with us in this regard because it affects everybody.
    “We appeal for cooperation and support of the police and other security agencies in arresting the culprits”, he said.
    According to the NMA chairman, the main theme of this year’s event is: “Medical Quackery and Litigation, Closing the Gap in Polio Eradication and Universal Health Coverage.’’
    Omotayo said that child and maternal mortality in Nigeria was increasing and reducing life expectancy of the people, because disparity in accessing quality healthcare delivery in the country was poor.
    He also called for full implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) across the states to achieve universal health coverage.
    The NMA boss also appealed to the Ekiti Government to implement the State Insurance Health
    Scheme (SHIS) without further delay, to ameliorate the sufferings of the masses who patronised quacks as thire last resort.
    “The SHIS bill was signed into law under ex-Governor Ayodele Fayose, but we have to go beyond this and move to the level of implementation.
    “We also frown at the lingering crisis rocking the NHIS and we urge the Federal Government to intervene appropriately to restore peace and stability to the agency for it to deliver on its mandate,” he said.
    He congratulated Ekiti new governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, on his election success, assuring him that NMA would partner with his administration to reposition the health sector in the state.
     

  • Bagudu’s wife, Zainab bags NMA merit award [Photos]

    Bagudu’s wife, Zainab bags NMA merit award [Photos]

    The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) on Saturday bestowed a merit of honour on a doctor colleague, the wife of the Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu.

    The award was presented to her by the outgone President of NMA, Mike Ozovehe Ogirima at the 58th annual general meeting held at the international conference centre (ICC), Abuja.

    It was gathered that Bagudu was honoured due to her advocacy for women’s health with major interest in cancer care, establishment of the first high tech radio-diagnostic centre in Abuja and subsequently the medical cancer foundation known for creating awareness, funding diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients in Nigeria.

    As a champion of girl child education in Kebbi State, Bagudu also mentored and sponsored various school programs such as voices for girl child, nursing education, school health clubs with concentration on cancer and sickle cell, menstrual health, VVF, drugs abuse and creative writing.

    She also fast tracked the implementation of the CONMESS salary scale for the first time in Kebbi State which worked on with the state NMA.

    Receiving the award, Bagudu said despite a resolve to discourage awards, she did not hesitate when the highest body of her profession deemed her fit. She expressed gratitude to her husband, her family, the health team in Kebbi, the Medicaid family and the NMA.

    She stated her commitment to continue team work with the Kebbi State health professionals to improve poor indices of the state. Finally, She called on doctors to actively seek political platforms so that they can be a part of policy making at higher levels promising to support those who wish to do so in her locality.

    Bagudu's wife, Zainab bags NMA merit award [Photos]

    Recall that the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osibajo and Senate President, Bukola Saraki had earlier in the week given assurance that the law stating 1% of the Consolidated Revenue Fund is set aside for Primary Healthcare in Nigeria would be adhered to.

    Established in 1951, the Nigerian Medical Association is the largest medical association in the West African sub-region with over 40,000 members from 36 states and about 19,000 in Diaspora.

    It’s membership spans six major specialties of Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Public Health and Laboratory Medicine/Pathology.

  • Strike: NMA appeals to FG to honour agreements with JOHESU

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), has appealed to the Federal Government to honour all agreements with the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), and end the ongoing strike in the nation’s health sector.

    The association made the appeal on Sunday, in Abuja in a communiqué issued at the end of its 58th Annual General/Scientific and Delegates’ Conference.

    According to the communiqué read by its new President, Dr Francis Adedayo, the association said it disparaged the strike and appealed to the Federal Government to end it soon.

    JOHESU, a union comprising all health workers in Nigeria, apart from medical doctors and dentists, began a nationwide indefinite strike on April 18.

    “We disparage the ongoing strike action by JOHESU and appeal to government to honour its agreements with all health workers.’’

    On medical tourism, the association said that: “We call on the government to improve the work environment and upgrade the infrastructure to meet international standards in order to reverse medical tourism”

    However, NMA applauded the government for its efforts in rehabilitation of primary health institutions in the country.

    “We applaud the efforts of the government in rehabilitating Primary Health Centres and other institutions in Nigeria.

    “We appeal for the accreditation of such centres as primary providers of health services in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)”

    “We want to commend the senate for improved budgetary provision in the 2018 budget for the health sector.

    “We commend the senate for approving the inclusion of one per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the federation in the 2018 budget.

    “For improved funding of primary healthcare in Nigeria as mandated by the National Health Act 2014.’’

    The association also called on the government to increase budgetary allocation release for health to meet 15 per cent of the total budget, to embrace the universal health coverage for all Nigerians.

    Meanwhile, the association has elected new national officers to run its affairs for the next two years.

    The following members were elected into the National Officers Committee (NOC) of the NMA.

    Dr Francis Adedayo as president; Dr Kenneth Tijo as first vice president; Dr Ofem Enang – second vice president; Dr Olumuyiwa Peter – Secretary general; Dr Benjamin Ikechukwu – Deputy Secretary General.

  • Dr. Francis Adedayo emerges new NMA President

    Dr. Francis Adedayo emerges new NMA President

    Dr Francis Adedayo has been elected as the new President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).

    Adebayo was elected on Sunday at the end of the association’s 58th Annual General Conference and Delegates Meeting held in Abuja.

    Also elected into the National Officers Committee of the NMA to run the affairs of the association for the next two years were Dr Kenneth Tijo, first Vice President; Dr Ofem Enang, second Vice President.

    Dr Olumuyiwa Peter, was elected Secretary General; while Dr Benjamin Ikechukwu, became Deputy Secretary General.

    Others were Dr Ayuwaja Nayagawa as National Treasurer; Dr Abdulgafar Jimoh, National Financial Secretary; and Dr Obitade Obimakinde National Publicity Secretary.

    In his acceptance remarks, Adebayo said that the new executives would deliver their duties with vigor and carry every member along in the running the affairs of the association.

    “Every part of the health sector would be represented; we want to be fair and promote the profession, and also to see that our workers work well.

    “We also want to sensitise the public on what NMA is doing so that they can support us as we need public support to move forward.”

    The NMA president called on government to improve the work environment and upgrade the infrastructure in the health sector to meet international standard.

  • Only 3 out of 34 state hospitals in Edo functioning – NMA

    Dr Emmanuel Osaigbovo, Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Edo, says only three hospitals out of the 34 owned by the State Government are functioning.

    Osaigbovo disclosed this on Wednesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin.

    He named the functional hospitals as the Central Hospital, Stella Obasanjo Hospital and General Hospital, Auchi.

    However, he said that in the course of the five days warning strike embarked upon by the association last March, the state government hinted of its intention to ensure the rejuvenation of all its hospital.

    The NMA chairman said this was contained in a government blueprint on the health sector in the state, which was made available to the association.

    He noted that the blueprint also contained government possible solution to some of the issues raised, which prompted the strike.

    He added that the government blueprint outlined plans for new development of primary healthcare centres, with the first 20 to be fixed within three months and an additional 200 to be completed within 24 months.

    Osaigbovo also said that the government has given assurance to employ more doctors and allied health workers before the end of the year.

    While underscoring the need for government not just build facilities without utilisation due to dearth of manpower, he said that the people of the state deserve the best.

    The NMA chairman, who blamed strike actions in the country on the inability of government to do the needful for her citizens, urged government to always show commitment to the welfare of citizens and stop reneging on promises.
    He said that this was because the citizens were the most hit by hardship and the effect of any industrial action.

    Osaigbovo revealed that it took the intervention of the Benin monarch, the State House of Assembly and well meaning citizens of the state to stop the association from proceeding on an indefinite strike after the five days warning strike in March.

    He therefore said that the state government owed an obligation to implement the agreement reached with the association.

    NAN

  • Strike: Doctors’ demands unrealistic – Obaseki

    Following plans by the Edo State Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), to embark on strike, Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that the state government is making arrangement for private health care providers to offer essential services to patients in state government hospitals, as the demands by the NMA are unrealistic.

    Obaseki said this when he received the newly inaugurated members of the Governing Board of the University Of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) at the Government House, in Benin City on Monday.

    He said the state government will write to the national body of NMA as the Edo State chapter of the association “has threatened to shut down the health system in the state following their unrealistic demands.”

    Obaseki said: “We believe that the doctors’ demands are unrealistic, having been part of the steps taken so far to improve the conditions of service of medical doctors in the state. They see what we are doing and yet have threatened to go on strike because I cannot afford to fulfil 100 per cent of their demands.”

    He noted that the doctors are not fair to the state as “we agree with their demands but cannot afford all the demands now, rather we will spread them across four years of this administration, but the Edo NMA rejected the offer and insists on embarking on strike.

    “We are looking at various ways to execute our health reforms but will not allow anyone to blackmail us. We have been open, honest and have carried NMA along in all our activities till date. We will be talking to private health practitioners to help us and I have told them that I cannot afford all their requests at once. We are already making backup plans to take care of our people, if we are constrained to.”

     

  • NMA introduces doctors’ stamp from April 1 to eliminate quackery

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) says doctors will commence full usage of doctors’ stamp with effect from April 1 to curb quackery in the medical profession.

    The President of the association, Prof. Mike Ogirima, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Saturday.

    Ogirima frowned at the rate of quackery in medical profession, which had increased disease burden and mortality rate.
    He said the identified stamp would contain security features that would differentiate professionals from quacks.
    He explained that some security features embedded on the stamp include full name of the doctor, the institution he qualified from and the year.
    The president added that any doctor that does not possess or have the stamp latest April 1 would be regarded as a quack.
    According to him, from April 1 any medical legal documents emanating from qualified doctors must contain the concerned doctors’ stamp.

    “The implication of the stamp is that if you are a medical doctor and do not have the stamp you are a quack.
    “With effect from April 1 we expect all documents emanating from doctors all over the country to bear doctors stamp and they should start using it on all medical legal documents.

    “The rate of fake practitioners in medical field is on the high side, so effecting the usage of the doctors’ stamp we will be able to curb the menace,’’ he said.

    The president said that in 2017, about 30 cases of fictitious medical reports were discovered at the NYSC camp, which was not healthy for the profession and the nation at large.

    He, however, called on perpetrators of this act to desist from it in order to restore dignity to the medical profession and accord patients the desired health: rather than compounding their disease burden and increasing mortality rate.