Posted on: Mon 23-09-2013

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 70th REGULAR MEETING/2ND ANNUAL GENETAL MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE OF CHIEF MEDICAL DIRECTORS/ MEDICAL DIRECTORS OF FEDERAL TERTIARY HOSPITALS (CCMDFTH) HELD FROM THE 2ND TO THE 5TH OF SEPTEMBER 2013 AT THE NEW CHELSEA HOTEL, CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT, ABUJA

PREAMBLE

The Committee of Chief Medical Directors/Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria held its 70'" regular meeting/2^th AGM at the New Chelsea Hotel, Abuja from the 2M to 5^th September, 2013. In attendance were members of the Committee and representatives of the Federal Ministry of Health.

The meeting commenced on a very sad note with the news of the brutal assassination of Dr. Musa Mohammed Dambam, Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre. Azare.

The Committee appraised the efforts of the Hon. Minister of Health at bringing stability to the Health Sector, in the face of the many challenges confronting the sector. The Committee also at this meeting had elections for the appointment of a new Executive Council, the outgoing Council under the Chairmanship of Prof. George O. Akpede, Chief Medical, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, lrrua, having successfully concluded its two-year term in Office. www.medicalworldnigeria.com

OBSERVATIONS

. The Committee noted that the assassination of Dr Dambam. Though not the first attempted or successful I assassination of the Chief Executive of a Federal Tertiary Hospital, was particularly gruesome and brutal.

. The Committee noted that the repeated disruption of services or threat of disruption of services in Federal Tertiary Hospitals continue to hamper and impede. The efforts of the Hon. Minister of Health in implementing the health-related transformation agenda of Mr. President. The Committee observed that the actions of JOHESU and the lapses in the implementation of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) are taking on particular notorieties in this regard and that the Nigerian Medical Association has issued a 21-days ultimatum with regard to the implementation of IPPIS in Federal Tertiary  Hospitals. www.medicalworldnigeria.com

. The Committee also noted the supportive and states-manly role played by the Hon. Minister of Health in the resolution of the Board-Management dichotomy at the Irma Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo State.

RESOLUTIONS

. The Committee condoles with the family of Dr Dambam, the Management and Staff of the Federal Medical Centre, Azare and the Hon. Minister of Health on the occasion of the death of Dr Dambam and calls on the Federal Government to bring to justice those responsible for the gruesome murder.

. The Committee implores the Federal Ministry of Health 011 the need to come up with a unified policy position on the demands by JOHESU and the modalities for implementing the approvals made thereon and resolving outstanding issues arising thereof in the health sector.

. The Committee expressed deep worry and concern on the incongruent implementation of the lPPIS, which has thus far failed to accommodate the peculiarities of man power disposition in Federal Tertiary Hospitals despite repeated urgings to the contrary.  www.medicalworldnigeria.com.The Committee accordingly urges the Federal Government of the need to create a platform for the accommodation  of the peculiarities in order to avoid further unrest in the health sector. The Committee also urges the Federal Government on the need for urgent remedial actions to stem the tide of industrial unrest which has already started  in some Teaching Hospitals due to the shortcomings in the implementation of IPPIS.

. Furthermore, the Committee implores the Federal Government on the need for urgent action in addressing the shortcomings in the implementation of IPPIS in view of the 21 days ultimatum issued by the Nigerian Medical Association so as to avoid further disruption of service delivery in our hospitals.       

CONCLUSION

At the end of the meeting. New members of the Executive Council were elected to pilot the affairs of the Committee for the next two years. They include Dr Peter Alabi (Chief Medical Director, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, and Chairman), Dr Angela C. Uwakwem, Medical Director. Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Vice Chairman and Secretary General). And Dr Giyarn (Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, Treasurer).

The Committee is grateful to all those who supported the hosting ofthe AGM andto the Hon. Minister of Health for the efforts at ensuring stability in the health sector, an imperative for effective and efficient service delivery.

Dr Peter Alabi

Chairman

Dr Angela C. Uwakwem

Vice Chairman/Secretary General

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