Health
Strike: NMA issues 21-day notice to FG to implement agreements
Following the protracted strike action by the National Association of Residents Doctors (NARD), the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has issued a 21-day notice to the Federal government to implement all the agreements in the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Medical body and its affiliates.
The NMA disclosed this in a communique issued at the end of its National Executive Council Meeting held in Edo State.
The theme of the meeting was “Medical Practice in the face of National Insecurity: Implications for Nigerian Healthcare Indices.”
Recall that NARD at its National Executive Council Meeting in July 30 declared that the strike action would commence August 2. The National President of NARD, Dr Okhuaihesuyi Uyilawa said the strike is due to the failure of federal government to implement the agreements it entered with the union after it suspended its previous strike.
In the communique issued, the Medical body noted that it has painstakingly reviewed and chronicled the various negotiation meetings between NARD and the federal government and bemoaned the unconscionable developments that have followed despite the interventions of the leadership of NMA.
It also said at the end of the 21days, it will convene an Emergency Delegate Meeting (EDM) to review the level of progress with a view to taking necessary steps to ensure full implementation.
NMA also expressed deep concern of the poor welfare of its members in Abia, Imo, Ekiti, Ondo and Anambra States where monthly salaries ranging from 4 to 20 months remain unpaid resulting in sufferings and deprivations.
It vows to pursue the matter using all lawful means to reverse what it described as unfair disenfranchisement of its members in the academia from attaining the apex of academic leadership position.
It said: “Council observed the exclusion of holders of Medical Fellowship from vying for the Vice Chancellorship positions in some Universities on the premise that Medical Fellowship is a professional qualification and not a degree equivalent of PhD as retrogressive and uninformed.
“Council notes with pride that the curriculum content of the Fellowship programmes, which encompasses both academic and professional aspects, are far in excess of any other curriculum for any postgraduate programme in any university in Nigeria, including the PhD programmes, and regrets the high level of ignorance and mischief perpetuated by the purveyors of this ill-advised division in the academia.
“Furthermore, the Council observed as provocative the stoppage of salary payment for doctors in academics using the CONMESS scale and firmly rejects these Circulars once again and advises the OHCSF to take immediate steps to withdraw them.
“Also noted with dismay by Council is the impact of withdrawal of healthcare service delivery in those States including the training of medical students at the States’ teaching hospitals. The Association calls on the National Economic Council (NEC), the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), National Council of Traditional Rulers and the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, as well as other stakeholders to as a matter of urgency intervene now before the matter escalates, as it may no longer guarantee industrial harmony if the salary arrears are not paid in the shortest possible time.
“Status of the Circulars of Contention from the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF)
Council noted with displeasure the Circular removing House Officers and NYSC doctors from the Scheme of Service.
The Council further urge government to do more to stem the tide of insecurity as it cripples every other developmental effort; it also urged the citizens to stop fanning embers of discord, acrimony and ethno-religious separatist tendencies.
The Federal Government has facilitated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Hospital and four private institutions to enhance the capacity of the healthcare workforce.
The participating institutions include Nile University, Cosmopolitan University, Yangongwo College of Nursing Sciences, and Concerned Medix Foundation.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Ministry’s Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr. Alaba Balogun on Friday.
Alaba revealed that during the signing ceremony, the Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, emphasized that the MoU aligns with the administration’s policy to expand training capacities.
Prof. Pate further highlighted that this initiative reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to increasing the training of health workers, addressing workforce gaps, and maintaining professional standards through the Regulatory and Professional Schools Division of the Hospital Services Department of the Ministry.
He stressed the government’s responsibility to tackle multiple challenges, including infrastructure, equipment, and human capital development, noting that Nigerian health workers are highly sought after due to their excellent training.
“Thankfully, because they are well-trained, we are very proud of them. If we weren’t training them, they wouldn’t have been attractive to other countries.
“Unfortunately, that has implications on the service delivery at home. So as a government, we took a progressive stance to say, look, let’s train more.
“So that even if those who are trained leave, some will stay. And even those who have gone away might come back to serve. And, that is the driving force behind this policy approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the Coordinating Minister pointed out.
Prof. Pate also underscored the crucial role of the private sector in achieving the government’s objectives, noting that Nigeria’s healthcare system operates as a mix of public and private institutions.
“So, the private sector has a space, and I am very pleased that you have joined hands with the National Hospital to be able to really see how the capabilities of the hospital can help you train more clinicians”, he said.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital, Prof. Raji Mahmud, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritizing improvements in the healthcare system.
He affirmed that the collaboration and signing of the MoU between the National Hospital and private institutions would significantly expand healthcare workforce training.
Prof. Mahmud further noted that three out of the four institutions are primarily training centers focused on medical and nursing education in partnership with the National Hospital, Abuja.
In a bid to enhance medical care for Nigerians, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed six new Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) for Federal Hospitals across the country.
Among those appointed is Dr. Ikrama Hassan, who will now serve as the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lafia, Nasarawa State. Dr. Hassan, a seasoned consultant physician, previously served as the Medical Director of Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital before its elevation to a teaching hospital.
The full list of newly appointed CMDs includes:
Prof. Olusegun Sylvester Ojo – Federal Teaching Hospital, Akure, Ondo State.
Prof. Yusuf Mohammed Abdullahi (Reappointed) – Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe.
Dr. Dauda Abubakar Katagum – Federal Teaching Hospital, Azare, Bauchi State.
Dr. Ikrama Hassan – Federal Teaching Hospital, Lafia, Nasarawa State.
Dr. Ali Mohammed Ramat – National Orthopedic Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State.
Dr. Haruna Abubakar Shehu – Federal Medical Centre, Kafanchan, Kaduna State.
Each appointment is for a four-year term, effective from the date of assumption of duty.
President Tinubu congratulated the appointees, urging them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and service delivery. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving medical infrastructure and ensuring quality healthcare access for all Nigerians.
Senator representing Kebbi South Senatorial District, Garba Maidoki has called for the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre to be situated in Zuru to cater for the health needs of the District and its environs.
The lawmaker in the 10th National Assembly made the call during a public hearing on the Bill to establish Federal Medical Centre in Zuru organized by the Senate Committee on Health.
In a memorandum presented at the hearing by the lawmaker, he explained that the aim is to provide tertiary healthcare facilities to the people of Zuru in Kebbi State in the North West Nigeria.
He further noted that the establishment of FMCs across the country was initiated by Decree No. 10 of 1985, with the aim of providing tertiary healthcare services.
According to him, the FMC Birnin Kebbi was established on June 6, 2000, and has since been upgraded to a University Teaching Hospital.
The lawmaker stated that the large population and the challenges faced in accessing healthcare services, necessitates the establishment of FMC in the state.
“In Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, the distance between Zuru Emirate and Birnin Kebbi is approximately 240 km, making it difficult for patients, especially children and pregnant women, to access secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities”, he lamented.
Senator Maidoki charged his colleagues and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to support the bill, saying healthcare is a fundamental privilege expected from any government.
The lawmaker who is the sponsor of the bill told journalists during a chat that the Federal Medical Center, when established will not only cater for the tertiary healthcare needs of Kebbi State, but will also serve the adjoining states like Niger and Zamfara.
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