Posted on: Fri 17-05-2024

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 64TH ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE AND DELEGATES MEETING (AGC/DM) HELD AT THE CALABAR INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTER, SUMMIT HILLS, CALABAR, CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA FROM 5TH TO 12TH MAY, 2024.

Preamble  

The 64th Annual General Conference end Delegates meeting of the Nigerien Medical Association, (NMA) was held at the Calabar International Convention Center, Summit Hills, Calabar, Cross River [ State from 5th to 12th May, 2024. The theme of the Conference was “Reversing the Trend of Health Sector Brain Drain. The Subtheme was “Euthanasia in Medical Practice”. 64th AGC/DM was preceded by several humanitarian, social and advocacy activities including the 5th Dr. Stella Adadevoh Free Medical Outreach to the Adiabo Community in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State. Two hundred and sixty-two (262) patients with various disease conditions were offered free healthcare services including medical consultations, surgeries, dental, and ophthalmological services, mass deworming for children, screening for systemic hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. There were media engagements on the theme and sub-theme. Courtesy visits were paid to the Executive Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, Hon Commissioner for Health; Or Henry Egbe Ayuk and the Obong of Calabar; Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi, Otu V. The NMA President; Dr.Uche Ojinmah and other members of the National Officers' Committee (NOC) also visited the state of the artAS! UKPO Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Calabar, Cross River State.

The Star-studded opening ceremony was under the distinguished chairmanship of Prof Victor Ansa, the immediate past Provost of the College of Health Sciences, University of Calabar. The Special Guest of Honour was the Executive Governor of Cross River State; His Excellency, Sen. Prince Bassey E. Otu ably represented by the Hon Commissioner for Health of Cross River State, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk Other members of the Cross River State Executive Council were also in attendance. The Executive Governor of Cross River State declared the AGC/DM open.  

The Executive Governor of Katsina State; His Excellency, Mallam Dikko Umaru Radda PhD was honoured during the opening ceremony with the “Award of Meritorious Service” for his remarkable efforts at improving the welfare of Doctors and in developing the health sector in Katsina State. Also in attendance were the Chairman and Vice Chairman Senate Committee on Health, Senator Banigo Harry Ipalibo and Senator Samaila Dahuwa Kaila respectively, the Coordinating Minister of Healt and Social Welfare; Prof Muhammad Ali Pate who was ably represented by the Chairman Committee of Chef Medical Directors and Medical Directors of Tertiary Health Institutions in Nigeria; Prof Emam Bassey, Minister of State for Education; Hon. Dr. Tanko Yusuf Sununu who was ably represented by Dr Jubril Gwandu, the Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria; Dr Fatima Kyeri, immediate Past President of the World Medical Association: Dr Osahon Enabulele, Past NMA Presidents, Past NMA Secretaries and also other notable Personalities within and outside Croes River State The Keynote lecture was brilliantly delivered by the Chief Medical Director, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital; Prof. ikpeme A. Ikpeme while the Subtheme lecture astutely delivered by Dr Udeme Asibong.

OBSERVATIONS:

1. The AGC/DM observed that Nigeria is already experiencing s catastrophic shortage of Human Resource for Health (RH) due to the alarming rate of migration of healthcare workers overseas, the so-called “Jape Syndrome”. The Conference further observed that the current brain drain is attributed but not limited to poor remuneration, poor infrastructure, protracted insecurity, low standard of living and inadequate funding for the healthcare system.
2. The AGC/DM noted that Euthanasia is a complex and sensitive topic in medical practice and the subject still remains controversial with no clear global consensus.
3. The AGC/DM is concerned with the prevailing economic crisis, as evidenced by the geometric surge in consumer prices, instability in the exchange rate, and increase in a number of multi-dimensionally poor Nigerians which has now exceeded 100 million according to the World Rank. The complete obliteration of the middle class heightened extreme hunger and suffering in
4. The AGC/DM expressed great worry that despite the tremendous efforts being made by healthcare workers to deliver healthcare services to Nigerians, they were still violently assaulted and kidnapped in their workplaces. The conference also seriously frowned at the inability of Governments to ensure the safe release of health workers still in captivity. The conference is deeply worried that the spate of kidnappings, banditry, armed robbery and Killing Of innocent citizens in Nigeria, has reached alarming rates causing palpable fears among the
5. The AGC/DM noted the continuous exit of pharmaceutical giants from Nigeria due to the Challenging business environment caused by the impact of naira devaluation and forex scarcity. This has resulted in drug shortages, geometric increases in the prices of drugs and job losses. The conference further noted that this exodus raises serious concerns about the future of access to essential medicines by millions of Nigerians.
6. The AGC/DM reviewed the level! of progress made in Clearing the backlog of salary arrears, implementation of the new hazard allowance, the review and implementation of the revised Medical Residency Training Act (MRTA) and other salary packages for doctors and other health workers in various NMA State Branches. The conference was impressed with the various interventions of the Executive Governors of Ekiti, Rivers and Ebonyi States namely: His Excellency, Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji; His Excellency, Siminalayi Fubera and His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru respectively. The Conference also noted the level of progress made by other Governors in clearing the backlog of unpaid salaries and improving the wages of doctors and other Health workers in their states.
7. The AGC/DM noted the increasing number of quacks apprehended over the past few months. Suffice it to say that quackery has brought untold hardships to many Nigerians, in terms of attendant complications with deadly outcomes.
8. The AGC/DM extensively deliberated on the various recommendations proposed for amendments in the NMA constitution.
9. The AGC/DM was saddened to receive the report of the sudden death of Mr. Mazi Emeka Akpa: the Head of Administration of the NMA National Secretariat who had worked as our staff for nineteen (19) years.
10. The AGC/DM marked the successful completion of the tenure for the 2022- 2024 National Officers’ Committee (NOC) led by Dr. Uche Ojinmah.
11. The climax of the 64th AGC/DM was the election and Inauguration of a new NOC led by Dr. Bala Muhammad Audu as the 32nd NMA President. Dr. Audu is a distinguished Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the Vice-Chancellor, the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, Bauchi State.

RESOLUTIONS:

1. The AGC/DM urges the government at all levels to, as a matter of urgency, prioritize and show more commitment to healthcare funding. This will enable payment of better and competitive wages, improving working conditions and creating an enabling environment for medical practice. There is also a pressing need to improve security within and around health facilities, improve access to social amenities and provide increased opportunities for doctors. These are critical interventions necessary to reverse the ongoing brain drain.
2. The AGC/DM resolved that the introduction of Euthanasia in the medical practice in Nigeria requires careful consideration because of ethical, legal, religious, social and cultural diversities. However, as of now, euthanasia in whatever form is illegal and punishable by the provision of Section 306 of the Criminal Code in Nigeria.
3. The AGC/DM urges Governments at all levels to prioritize the health and well-being of all Nigerians by rolling out robust palliatives, and other social intervention strategies to cushion hunger and harsh economic conditions in the country.
4. The AGC/DM calls on Government and security agencies to effectively check security lapses he and the ravaging incidence of kidnapping and banditry in Nigeria. The Conference implores the security agencies to do everything possible to ensure the safe release of all the health workers and other Nigerians in captivity.
5. TheAGC/DM appeals to the Nigerian government to take urgent action to mitigate the impact of the exodus of pharmaceutical and multi-national companies by creating friendly businesses in the environment as well as making adequate investments in domestic pharmaceutical and other companies.
6. The AGC/DM resolved to write letters of commendation to the Executive Governors of Ekiti, Rivers and Ebonyi States for running doctor-friendly administrations in their respective states.
7. The AGC/DM implores all States to develop appropriate legal framework where unavailable to combat quackery in Nigeria.
8. The AGC/DM successfully amended the NMA constitution.
9. The AGC/DM resolved to give the necessary support to the family of the late Mazi Emeka Akpe and will send a high-powered delegation to his burial in Alechara Mgbowo in Agwu Local of Government Area of Enugu State. May his soul rest in perfect peace, Amen.
10. The AGC/OM appreciate Dr. Uche OJinmah led the 2022- 2024 National Officers’ Committee (NOC), for their outstanding performances and successful completion of tenure in office.
11. The AGC/DM elected and inaugurated the new National Officers that will run the affairs of the association for two years (2024 — 2026) as follows:

• President - Dr. Bala Mohammed Audu
• Vice-President - Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu Oluwatosin
• Vice-President 2 - Dr. Ushakuma Michael Anenga
• Secretary- General - Dr. Benjamin Egbo O.
• Deputy Secretary General - Dr. Adewale Lasiei J.
• Treasurer - Dr. Celestine Chijioke Ugwoke
• Financial Secretary - Dr. Harrieon Omokhua A.  
• National Publicity Secretary- Dr. Mannir Bature.  

APPRECIATION:

The Nigerian Medical Association is immensely grateful to the following personalities who offered various forms of support before, during and after the meeting: His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey E Otu; Executive Governor of Cross River State; His Excellency, Mallam Dikko Umaru Radda; Executive Governor of Katsina State; Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, Obong of Calabar; Prof. Victor Ansa, Chairman of the Opening Ceremony; Prof Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare; Hon. Dr. Tanko Yusuf Sununu, Minister of State for Education; Senator Banigo Harry Ipalibo , Chairman Senate Committee on Health; Senator Samila Dahuwa Kaila, Vice Chairman Senate Committee on Health; Prof. Emem Bassey, Chairman Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of Tertiary Health Institutions in Nigeria, Prof. Ikpeme A. Ikpeme, Key Note Speaker and Chief Medical Director, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State; Dr. Udeme Asibong, Sub-theme speaker, Dr Fatima Kyari , Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria; Dr. Osahon

Enabulele, Immediate Past President of the World Medical Association and Past NMA Presidents, and others. Our sincere appreciation to the Commandant of the Nigerian Navy, NNS Victory: Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command and Director of State Security Services, Cross River State Command.  

Special appreciation goes to the Local Organizing Committee and the State Officers Committee of NMA Cross River State Branch led by Dr. Felix Archibong for the excellent hosting of the 64thAGC/DM in the State of Peopie's Paradise.  

Finally, sincere appreciation to all sponsors, volunteers and every other individual and corporate organization that partnered with us to make this historic AGCDM a huge success.

 

Dr. (Prof) Bala Audu - NMA President

Dr. Benjamin Egbo - NMA Secretary General

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