Posted on: Tue 28-07-2020

COMMUNIQUE OF THE 42ND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION OF GENERAL AND PRIVATE MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS OF NIGERIA (AGPMPN) HELD ON THE 21ST DAY OF MARCH,  2020 AT FESTIVAL HOTEL, AMUWO ODOFIN, LAGOS. 

The Association held her 42nd Annual General Meeting/International Scientific Conference in Lagos State in March 2020. The weeklong exciting event began on the 12th March with Pre-Conference events and Conference activities involving a Town Hall meeting, a Cardiovascular walk, Scientific Lectures, Seminars, Symposia, Equipments and Drug Exhibitions and Pharmaceutical products presentations. These culminated in the Annual General meeting on Saturday 21st March, 2020 at Arthur Mbanefo Hall of FESTIVAL HOTEL, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos. 

The Theme of the Conference was: PRIMARY HEALTHCARE, Gateway to a Prosperous Nation. Prof. Akin Osibogun was the scheduled Guest Lecturer for the Memorial lecture. The Conference was well attended as it drew delegates from most States of the Federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja. The Event which had Dr. Finnih Oluyomi Abayomi as Chairman witnessed the assemblage of great dignitaries, prominent amongst whom were the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-olu ably represented by his wife, Dr. (Mrs) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu. Other eminent persons that graced the occasion are, the Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Fenn Gbajabiamila ably represented by Hon. Dr. Obi, the President, Nigerian Medical Association, Dr. Francis Faduyile, Secretary General, Nigerian Medical Association, Dr. Olumuyiwa Odusote, the representative of the Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Dr. Abraham, as well as Dr. (Chief) Bayo Aderiye, Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Health Service Commission.

AGPMPN PROJECT 2030: 

Being the oldest association of private doctors in Nigeria the sorry state of our health system gives us great concern. In 2005, 2015 was sighted as the destination for our vision of universal health coverage, however Nigeria could not keep promise to her people. The new date for the attainment of Universal Health Coverage is 2030. We desire, therefore, to bridge the gap between now and 2030 by leading a campaign of private health sector intervention in health that has a three-prong strategy: 

1) AWAKE NIGERIA PROJECT (NATIONWIDE SENSITIZATION AND MOBILIZATION). 

2) SAVE ONE MILLION NIGERIAN MOTHERS INITIATIVE. 

3) MOBILE HEALTH SOLUTION. 

We, therefore, desire to host the Nigerian Private Sector to a one-day dialogue on a private sector initiative on health in Nigeria to formulate a blueprint for policy thrust in health as well as launch support for Private Sector Intervention in health to address our critically poor healthcare indices.

CORONA VIRUS "PANDEMIC": 

We wish to commend the Hon. Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire for the comprehensive vigilance the Federal Ministry of Health placed on monitoring, evaluation and managing the ravaging corona virus pandemic. 

We call on all Nigerians to remain alert, vigilant, sensitive and responsive as they take all preventive measures against the threat of the virus. Simple as they may appear, hand washing with soap under running tap, use of face masks, social and physical distancing are highly effective in the prevention effort.

THE NIGERIAN PRIVATE HEALTH SECTOR-THE UNCELEBRATED HEROES OF OUR HEALTHCARE DELIVERY: 

From available statistics over 70% of Nigerians depend on Private Doctors for their healthcare needs. Unfortunately, this huge potential is not being harnessed by the government of the day. Government must recognize that it cannot employ everybody and it cannot care for everybody. It needs partners and partnerships. We are the biggest partners of government in healthcare. We are essential service providers and, in a sense, Social workers. Over 40% of our expected income goes into corporate social responsibility in free services, unpaid medical bills, discounted bills, outreaches, etc in an environment where 95% of the populace have no health insurance and the insurance of the 5% does not work well. It is obvious that any successful healthcare system should be private sector driven. AGPMPN is committed to support Government to achieve the healthcare delivery system of our dream, however, the following challenges must be urgently addressed: 

a) HEALTHCARE FINANCING. 

Funding is key to a robust healthcare delivery system that meets global standards and Best practice. Healthcare services are capital intensive. No private sector does it alone. Government leverage is inevitable. A Health Bank is the answer.

b) TAXES, RATES AND DUTIES. 

For Private Doctors to meet up with the ever increasing cost of running their operations, Government should consider concessions on taxes, rates, utility bills and import duty waivers for medical devices and consumables. 

c) THE FAILURE OF THE NIGERIAN HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME. 

There is no doubt that the NHIS is facing a lot of challenges, however, if our healthcare system must work and if Nigeria must become healthy, we must fix our health insurance. We cannot get our health insurance right without making it compulsory for all. And it cannot be compul-sory for all except the system provides for the vulnerable in society. It will not succeed except there is transparency and leadership. 

AWARDS TO MEMBERS: 

For their outstanding contributions to the development of healthcare in Nigeria, a total of Seventeen doctors were conferred with the Award of Distinguished Medical Practitioner (DMP). 

They are:

1. Dr. KUBA, Ben Eke (Abia State) 

2. Dr. OBASI, Basil Okeke (Abia State) 

3. Dr. AYA, Kanu Ebiri (Cross River State) 

4. Dr. OFUTET, Eko (Cross River State) 

5. Dr. EGWURUGWU, Jude Nnabuife (Imo State) 

6. Dr. CHUKWUKA, Bonaventure Ogbonna (Imo State)

 7. Dr. AJISAFE, Jimoh Ajibade (Kwara State) 

8. Dr. AKINTADE, Shehu Tunji (Lagos State) 

9. Dr. OKORUWE, Goddy Peter (Lagos State) 

10. Dr. OYEFULE, Sunday Olukayode (Lagos State) 

11. Dr. OKORIE, Onyemuwa Onyems (Lagos State) 

12. Dr. AJAYI, Ayodele (Lagos State) 

13. Dr. LADELE, Babatunde Samuel (Lagos State) 

14. Dr. KUKU, Adebisi Ayowole (Lagos State) 

15. Dr. AIPOH, Emmanuel Teddy Amhagbor (Lagos State) 

16. Dr. NDE, Martin Alphonsus (Rivers State) 

17. Dr. ANUFORO, Edmund (Rivers State)

Another twenty doctors bagged the Fellow of General Practice Award (FAGP). 

They are: 

1. Dr. EWEPUTANNA, Christian Chukwuemeka (Abia State) 

2. Dr. EZETU, Livinus Reuben (Bayelsa State) 

3. Dr. OVBIAGELE, Henry (Edo State) 

4. Dr. ESONWANNE, Jonathan Chinyere (FCT, Abuja) 

5. Dr. ALIYU, Mudashir Ayodele (Kebbi State) 

6. Dr. OYEMKPA, Chikodi Sunday (Lagos State) 

7. Dr. ESSIEN, Adolphus Stephen (Lagos State) 

8. Dr. AYELAJE, Omolade Joseph (Lagos State) 

9. Dr. OLORUNFEMI, Dare Adeyinka (Lagos State) 

10. Dr. OBAJINMI, Babatunde Olumide (Lagos State) 

11. Dr. CHUKWUMAH, John Azuka (Lagos State) 

12. Dr. OKOREJIOR, Kifinu Edison Richard (Lagos State) 

13. Dr. AKUNEFO, Kenneth Chigozie (Niger State) 

14. Dr. EGBUNU, Samson Amana Eleojo (Ogun State) 

15. Dr. OGHOGHORIE, Patrick Lucky (Ogun State) 

16. Dr. AJALA, Adeolu Olufemi (Oyo State) 

17. Dr. OKARA, Unneka Akubuike (Rivers State)

18. Dr. MBELU, Chijioke Sylvester (Rivers State)

19. Dr. ONYENAUCHEYA, Okechukwu Julius (Rivers State)

20. Dr. MOKWE, Maxwell Obinna (Rivers State)

MERIT AWARD TO OUTSTANDING HMOs: 

Our health insurance scheme has been stunted since inception in 2005 and the unhealthy activities of some of the HMOs have been sited as the greatest set back to the scheme. The most disturbing experience of providers with most of them is the non-payment or delayed payment of claims, a situation that has led to most providers being owed in long arrears. Some of the HMOs however, have shown remarkable difference in their standard and delivery, raising hope for the industry. 

They include: 

1. AXA MAMSARD HMO. 

2. VENUS MEDICAID SERVICES LIMITED. 

3. HYGEIA HMO. 

THE STATE OF THE NATION: 

The AGM commiserated with the Government and people of Lagos State over the unfortunate explosion at Abuja Ado on 15th March 2020 that resulted in loss of lives and properties. It noted with utmost dismay the unabating state of insecurity across the country especially in the North East Zone and called on the Federal and state governments to invigorate the fight and save Nigerians from brazen banditry, noting that the cost of insecurity was incalculable as it negatively impacts every facet of the nation including the economy.

CONCLUSION:

The doctors assured the Nigerian people and government of their preparedness and commitment to partnering with it and support its efforts to fight the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic while calling on Nigerians to comply with the set protocols to minimize the infection and control its spread.

Signed:

Amb. Dr. Ugwu Iyke Odo. MD, DMP.

National President 

Dr. Ned Okoro. MD, FAGP

Secretary General 

Dr. Olumuyiwa Ajanaku. MD, MB.BS; FAGP

Social & Publicity Secretary 

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