Nigerian Medical Association Communiqué issued at the end of the 61st Annual General Conference / Delegates Meeting (AGC/DM)


Posted on: Fri 21-05-2021

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 61ST ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE / DELEGATES MEETING (AGC/DM) OF THE NIGERIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (NMA) “TIN CITY 2021” HELD IN JOS PLATEAU STATE BETWEEN APRIL 25 AND MAY 2, 2021

Preamble 

The Annual General Conference and Delegates Meeting (AGC/ADM) of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) "Tin City 2021" held in Jos Plateau state Nigeria between 25th April and 1st May, 2021. The theme of the Conference was "Nigeria and the Global Health Agenda 2030." 

Pre-Conference activities and side events 

The Conference was preceded by several humanitarian, social and Advocacy oriented activities including a medical outreach to the Jos Correctional Centre, Media engagements on the theme and subthemes, and courtesy visits to important and strategic personalities in Plateau state. 

The Association is grateful to all who graced the opening ceremony: His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR who was represented by the Hon. Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, His Excellency RT. Hon. Dr. Simon Bako Lalong, the Executive Governor of Plateau state, Hon. Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen (who chaired the Opening ceremony), Hon. Minister of State for Health, Senator (Dr) Olorunnimbe Mamora, Dr. Nimkong Lar-Ndam, Hon. Plateau State Commissioner for Health and other members of the Plateau State Executive Council, HRM Da (Dr.) Elder Jacob Gyang Buba CON the Gbong Gwom Jos who was represented by a senior member of his cabinet, Prof. Isaac F Adewole, immediate past Hon. Minister of Health and the Keynote Speaker, Prof. Abdulsallam Nasidi, (pioneer DG of the NCDC), Representatives of Heads of some extra-ministerial Health Agencies at the Federal and Plateau State levels, some Provosts of Colleges of Medicine in Nigeria, Chief Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals, leadership of other Health professional Associations and notable personalities within and outside Plateau state. 

Focused presentations, Issues of concern, Observations and Resolutions

1. The theme of the 2021 AGC/DM- "Nigeria and the Global Health Agenda 2030. 

The Conference noted with deep concern the epidemiological triple jeopardy of existing infectious diseases, emerging infections including the ongoing pandemic and the ticking time bomb of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). It therefore, called on Federal Government to lead in mobilising state and governments to garner the highly needed political will, financial resources, partnerships and other requirements to rejig their emergency plans, preparedness and response to epidemics/pandemic, appropriate funding of existing health institutions and services as well as adequate provision of welfare and conducive work environment for doctors and other healthcare workers.

The AGC/DM resolved to continue with the high-level advocacy for the improvement of Access, quality of healthcare services and financial risk protection that will guarantee the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (Agenda 2030) such that no Nigerian is left behind in health towards achieving of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 

2. COVID-I9 pandemic, status update and vaccines 

The Conference commended the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19 (formerly PTF) on the recently issued international travel advisory and followed up with the re-institution of restrictions, all aimed at protecting against a third wave of the infection. In its contribution, the AGC/DM further appealed to adult Nigerians especially medical and health workers and persons with co-morbidities to go for COVID-19 vaccination as it has been clinically demonstrated to be safe and effective in reducing infection rates

Revamping local vaccines production (LVP) in Nigeria 

The Conference took cognizance of the fact that Nigeria had demonstrated capacity in vaccine production against Yellow fever in the past through the Federal Vaccines Production Laboratory Yaba but stopped in 1991 for several reasons, however strongly appealed to the federal government to spare no efforts at ensuring the success of the renewed initiative with the inauguration of the Biovaccines Nigeria Ltd a joint venture between the Federal Government and May & Baker Nigeria Plc. The Nigerian Medical Association will be very pleased if the initiative sees the light of the day so as to reduce the over dependence on other countries and achieve self-sufficiency in vaccine production. 

3. Public Private Partnerships (PPP) healthcare delivery in Nigeria 

The conference examined the implementation of targeted PPP in the nation's public health sector as provided for in various Policy instruments. While some successes have been recorded, it called on the authorities to continue to monitor the programme to fine-tune the implementation of the laudable policy. 

4. Centralized placement of House Officers 

The Conference was worried about the shoddy implementation of the centralized placement of the House Officers and resolved that NMA would not spare any efforts at ensuring speedy and less complications in the implementation of this commendable policy. 

5. Remuneration and other Welfare matters 

The Conference acknowledged the report of the Remunerations and Welfare Committees as it concerns Hazard allowance, Retirement Age, Specialist Allowance and urges Government to expedite action to conclude the process in order to forestall any further disruptions of services in the public health sector.

6. Continued unpaid salaries and allowances of doctors in some states 

The Conference reviewed the level of progress in clearing the backlog of salary arrears of doctors in Abia, Imo, Ondo, Ekiti, Kogi, Anambra and Edo states. Governments of Kogi and Edo states were appreciated for clearing the backlog of salaries for their doctors but expresses dismay and dissatisfaction with the remaining states for their failure to pay doctors their deserved wages. AGC/DM therefore strongly appealed to the concerned State governments to clear the backlog of entitlements owed her members and endorsed any lawful action that those State chapters may adopt in obtaining their due benefits and compensations for work already done.

7. Worsening insecurity in the country 

The Conference is saddened by the worsening spate of killings, maiming, kidnapping, banditry, arson, insurgency and other forms of violence with attendant socio-economic consequences in almost every part of Nigeria. NMA is deeply concerned that healthcare delivery has been severely affected and therefore called on all citizens to jettison dangerous unpatriotic tendencies while urging the federal government to renew its efforts to quickly bring this humanitarian disaster under control. 

8. Pending court cases against the NMA and Disciplinary matters concerning members. 

The AGUDM is aware of the pending cases involving her members in the specialty of Pathology instituted by some Allied Health professional Association and others instituted by Dr. Ikenna Awkadigwe with NMA as a co-defendant. It reviewed the cases standing against Dr. Kenenna Obiatuegwu and Dr. Tope Ojo at the National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) of the Association. While it resolved to support Specialty Associations involved in the court cases to ensure diligent prosecution, it pardoned Dr. Tope Ojo who had shown considerable remorse and therefore restated his rights and privileges as a bonafide member of our Association. Dr. Kenenna Obiatuegwu was suspended from all activities and programmes of NMA be at local, state and national levels for failing to honour the summons of the National Disciplinary Committee which amounted to gross insubordination and flagrant disrespect forthe Association.

9. Obnoxious Establishment Circulars issued by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) 

The Conference reviewed the report of the recent engagement between the OHCSF and the NMA. It requested the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to withdraw the said Circulars; modify and insert exemption clauses that protect medical qualifications and Scheme of Service and salary status of House officers. NMA further resolved to continue the engagement with the office of the Head of Civil Services of Federation using every lawful means to ensure that the Profession is not short changed on the basis of implementing any reforms in the wider Public Service.

I0. NUC: PHD vs Fellowship 

The Conference reaffirmed that Fellowship is the highest Academic and Professional qualification in Human Medicine and restated its position that possession of Ph. D was not a prerequisite qualification for career progression and attainment of the Chief Executive position by Medical Doctors in tertiary Institutions including any university in Nigeria. 

11. Consultant Pharmacists Status and clear definition of professional roles in patient care 

The Conference noted that the Association was in consultation with all relevant offices to seek clarification on the appointment of Consultant Pharmacists as a new Public Service cadre with a view to clarifying areas of ambiguity, streamlining the functions and ensuring that the role of the doctor in being the final decision-making authority in patient care remains sacrosanct.

12. Status of the usage of NMA Doctors' Stamp 

The Conference directed the National Officers Committee (NOC) to appraise all issues connected with the effective implementation of Doctors' Stamp while advising the strengthening of advocacy to relevant authorities and also among members for the appropriate recognition and endorsement of the Doctor's Stamp. 

13. Award of the Fellowship of the Nigerian Medical Association to deserving members 

The Conference ratified the award of the Fellowship of the NMA (FNMA) to three deserving past presidents namely Dr. George Okpagu mni, Prof. Dominic Osaghae mni and Dr. Osahon Enabulele and congratulated them for the recognition of their selfless service to the Association.

14. The hosting rights for next AGC/ADM 2022 

 The Rivers state chapter of the Association won the bid to host the next Annual Conference/Delegates Meeting in Port Harcourt the Rivers state capital in April 2022. 

Appreciation 

The Association is immensely grateful to all who in very many ways contributed to the planning and successful hosting of the "Tin City 2021" notably; the Executive Governor of Plateau state, Heads of Health-related Agencies of Government at Federal and Plateau state levels. The Association is hugely indebted to Hon. Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, Chairman House Committee on Health Services for demonstrating the deepest level of commitment, unalloyed loyalty and unparalled service to the upliftment of the NMA and the Health Services of Nigeria. It congratulates the Plateau state branch of NMA for excellent hosting of the conference. 

Signed:

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

President, NMA

Dr. Philps Uche Ekpe

Secretary – General, NMA