Posted on: Wed 23-12-2020

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (NEC) MEETING OF NIGERIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (NMA) HELD AT AWKA, ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA FROM 8TH TO 12TH DECEMBER, 2020

PREAMBLE 

The National Executive Council meeting of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) held at the Oma Event Centre, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria between 8th and 12th December, 2020. The theme of the meeting was "Medical Doctors, Politics and Leadership in the Society" and the Sub-theme was, "Managing Mental Health in a COVID-19 Depressed Economy". 

PRE-MEETING ACTIVITIES 

The National Officers' Committee (NOC) paid courtesy visits to the Vice- Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Prof. Charles Esimone FAS; Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) Awka; Dr. Basil Nwankwo, the Obi of Onitsha; HRM lgwe Nnaemeka Achebe CFR, mni and other distinguished personalities.

Contemporary issues affecting health care delivery in Nigeria, especially the response to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, governance and welfare of members of the Association were extensively deliberated upon. There was a session for Continuing Medical Education (CME) as part of the Capacity Professional Development (CPD) of members of the profession. A tour of selected health facilities in Anambra State was also undertaken. 

The opening ceremony which was graced by important personalities in the state was declared open by His Excellency, the Governor of Anambra State Chief Willie Obiano, ably represented by the Deputy Governor Dr. Nkem Okeke.

OBSERVATIONS 

The Council: 

1. Notes with serious concern the commencement of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic amidst the flagrant disregard for the non-pharmaceutical prevention NCDC protocols and waning efforts at containment of the scourge. It further notes the current concerns for vaccine access internationally whereas such serious conversations have yet to be intensified in Nigeria. 
2. Bemoans the incessant spate of emigration of highly trained Nigerian Doctors and other health care professionals to greener pastures (The brain drain) at a time when their services are critically needed in Nigeria and observing further that efforts at engaging these nationals have not yielded expected results.
3. Is deeply worried that some Nigerians in privileged positions still embark on foreign medical treatment for conditions that could be easily managed in the country, thereby reducing the opportunities for revamping the ailing nation's health system and improving service delivery through their patronage of local health facilities. 
4. Notes the progress reports on the welfare of her members in the Civil Service of Abia, Imo, Anambra, Ekiti and Kogi States: Appreciates with heightened expectations the commencement of implementation of the promises made by the Abia State Government while being earnestly optimistic about the actualization of others, including the clearing of the backlog of salaries and other emoluments soonest. Its further notes some level of progress made in Ekiti and Kogi States with no significant engagement made with Anambra and Imo States.
5. Deliberated on the report of the NEC- ordered re-run election supervised by the Caretaker Committee (CTC) after three months' interim administration of Enugu State Chapter of the Association in line with the Constitution and standing orders of NMA. 
6. Notes the recent High Court judgment in the case between Dr. Fredrick Awkadigwe versus MDCN & NMA on the compulsory NMA building levy which has been appealed with stay of execution. 
7. Appreciates the commencement of the amendment process of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act (MDPAct) which has passed through the second reading at the Senate as well as the review of the Medical Code of Ethics with the overall aim of enhancing ethics and professionalism in conformity with contemporary practice. 
8. Is saddened by the mounting difficulties faced by members especially the private health sector organizations in accessing the Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN) NGR N100 billion health intervention funds contrary to expectations. 
9. Identifies with the on-going 16 days of Advocacy against Gender Based Violence (AAGBV) and felicitates with her affiliate body, the Medical Women's Association of Nigeria (MWAN) in her advocacy for women and girl child empowerment initiatives while congratulating the President of NMA on his decoration as the 11th MWAN Male Champion during the meeting.
10. Is deeply worried over the worsening state of insecurity manifested by insurgency, armed banditry, kidnapping and other forms of armed attacks and the abduction of over 300 secondary students from one school in Katsina State, regretting that medical and health workers are increasingly becoming targets in Nigeria for kidnapping and armed robbery. 

RESOLUTIONS 

The Council resolves as follows: 

1. Serious efforts to prioritize health including supplementary appropriation/ budgetary provision should be initiated by government at all levels and the private sector coalitions to ensure the procurement and availability of consumables for effective response in the containment of COVID-19, especially with upsurge of the infection. We also wish to advise Government to procure the vaccines that have been reported to be effective for further research study on Nigerians to confirm their efficacy and safety for the Nigerian populace. 

2. A passionate appeal to all Nigerians to take the COVID-19 prevention advisories very seriously in order to interrupt the transmission to reduce ill-health and deaths from the dreaded virus. The strict adherence to the NCDC Protocol for the use of face mask, regular handwashing and use of sanitizes and social as well as Physical distancing is very strongly advocated. Non-essential travels should not be embarked upon especially during this yuletide season and beyond. 

3. More deliberate and strategic efforts must be made by governments to ensure the return home of the Nigerian Doctors and other health professionals in diaspora to contribute their quota to the improvement of health care delivery services as well as national growth and development. 

4. Privileged Nigerians should demonstrate open confidence in the nation's health care delivery system and as well as patriotism by patronising the services, as we call for the establishment of the National Health Bank in order to fast-track infrastructure development, procurement of the state-of-the- equipment which will help to provide world-class health care for Nigerians in order to reverse medical Tourism. 

5. Ratification of the report of the CTC; recognition and admittance of the newly elected State Officers’ Committee led by Dr. J.O.T Onyia and warned that such show of shame exhibited during the botched elections should never be repeated in the future. In the same the disciplinary Committee of the Association will commence work to hear all cases referred to it. Anyone found guilty in the August 2020 election crisis will be punished in accordance with the provisions of our Constitution. 

6. Diligently prosecute the appeal case which NMA and co-respondents instituted and directs that the payment of the Building Levy remains a requisite for the renewal of the 2021 annual practicing licence. 

7. Educate and mobilize extensively all members and other stakeholders to support and actualize the amendment of the MDPAct. 

8. Call upon His Excellency President Mohammadu Buhari, GCFR, political leaders, strategic stakeholders in the nation’s financial sector and the entire citizens to prevail upon the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to soften and modify the conditionalities for accessing the Health Intervention Loan, especially given the current state of the nation’s health sector as exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

9. Adoption of the NWAN’s “Male Involvement in Maternal and Child Health” (MIMCH) advocacy document and strategizing for its implementation nation-wide. 

10. Continue to strategically engage appropriate quarters in order to achieve the implementation of the extension of the retirement age of medical and dental practitioners in Nigeria to 65 years; special pension benefits as contained in Circular I of 1991; restoration of the Medical Salary System Scale (MSSS); Implementation of the CONMESS for Medically qualified Lecturers and its universal applicability for doctors in the employment of States and Local Government Councils. 

11. Call on the Federal Government to commence negotiations with NMA on the 2019 Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) . 

12. Intensify the call on the Federal Government and its security agencies to assess and evaluate the current strategies on the security situation and commit to more effective reforms in order to secure Nigerians wherever they are in the country. 

13. The 2021 Annual Delegates Meeting (ADM) will hold on 26th April to 1st May, 2021 in Jos Plateau State Capital. 

APPRECIATION: 

The Nigerian Medical Association is immensely grateful to the following personalities who offered various forms of supports before, during and after the meeting: 

His Excellency, Chief Willie Obiano Executive Governor of Anambra State; His Excellency Dr. Nkem Okeke Deputy Governor of Anambra State; His Royal Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe CFR, mni, the Obi of Onitsha; HRM Igwe Peter Anugwu JP, OFR, the Igwe Mbaukwu; Special appreciation goes to the Local Organizing Committee and State Officers Committee of NMA Anambra State led by Dr. Jide Onyekwelu. 

The Council continues to appreciate the immense patriotic commitment and dedication of her members in the public and private health sectors nationwide on the National response for the containment of COVID-19 pandemic as the nation has started to witness the second wave of the pandemic which appears to be more deadly. This is despite the daunting challenges in the operational environment. 

The NMA as custodians of the people’s health must give leadership in ensuring that the health of Nigerians is of topmost priority, while not forgetting the welfare of our members. 

Finally, the NMA wishes President Mohammadu Buhari GCFR and all Nigerians Merry Christmas and more prosperous and healthier New Year, 2021 in advance. We advise that we stay safe by following the NCDC protocol for the containment of COVID-19. 

Signed

Prof (Dr) Innocent A.O. Ujah, FNMA, FNAmed, mni

President, NMA

Dr. Philps Uche Ekpe

Secretary – General, NMA

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