Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
The National President of Nigeria Medical Association NMA, Dr. Uche Rowland Ojinmah has appealed to Doctors in the Country to rise above religious, tribal and political encumbrance while discharging their duties.
He stated this in his address to mark this year’s Physicians Week.
The address which was read by the Taraba State Chairman of the Association, Dr. Bako Ali Istifanus in Jalingo, said that this year’s Physicians Week was chosen to provide positive direction to the new administration as it relates to fixing the nation’s health care sector.
“We as an association, are exploring all peaceful avenues towards securing some economic reprieve for our beloved members.
“We are using this opportunity to call on government to immediately commence the payment of the recently reviewed CONMESS and CONHESS salary structures with their arreas and also the Accoutrement allowance for medical doctors and dentist.
“I hope there won’t be need for us to engage in another round of agitation for the implementation of what has been circularized since July, 2023, lets make hay while the sun shines.
He warn all and sundry not to try to run Nigerian Doctors down in any way, but always follow due process when aggrieved in discharging their responsibilities.
“If anyone has any case against a Doctor practicing in Nigeria, it should be channel such to the Registrar of Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria MDCN, for appropriate response being the body statutory saddle with such responsibility.
He express his displeasure at the recent media trial of some health care workers by the Minster of Women Affairs.
“We believe that such behavior is infra dig for one that occupies such a lofty office.
He express concerned on the rate of kidnapping of Doctors for ransom.
“The menace of kidnapping Doctors or Dentist and their relatives have become a daily event to the point of desensitization.
“It is high time that the security agencies ends this menace of one chance and most of the insecurity problems including kidnapping for ransom.
“The government and our fellow citizens are no longer move by our plight because all what we see is lip service.
The National President wonder why only the Medical profession that faces an onslaught in Nigeria.
“Other courses are read in Ukraine, Sudan, Egypt, Belarus amongst others, but it is medicine that must forced to accept all and sundry to practice whether qualify or not.
“If our government does not value the life of Nigerians, then the NMA does and shall insist on not unleashing terror on Nigerians by licencing unqualified medical and dental graduates.
He use the forum to call on National Assembly to resist being used under the guise to compromise the quality of health care delivery in Nigeria.
“If Nigerian trained Doctors and Dentist are poorly trained, they won’t be in high demand worldwide.
“Our government should immediately investigate the quality of medical education being offered to our children in Ukraine.
“Let us stand up in defense of the health of an average Nigerians – he said.
He imploy Doctors to remember to take care of their health in other to deliver care of highest standard to patients.
“I call on all of us to be more patient with our patients as many Nigerians are passing through trying times and hence may be a bit more difficult to handle.
“Flood disaster added to the current economic hardship may break the spirit of many Nigerians – he added.
He appeal to politicians and statemen not to compromise the peace and progress of the nation.