COMMUNIQUE OF THE NATIONAL OFFICERS’ COMMITTEE (NOC) MEETING OF THE NIGERIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION ON THE PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE SUSPENDING RESIDENCY TRAINING PROGRAMME IN NIGERIA RELEASED BY THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF HEALTH.
The attention of the National Officers’ Committee (NOC) of the Nigerian Medical Association has been drawn to the circular on the alleged Presidential directive suspending residency training programme in Nigeria.
The NOC, after an emergency meeting held on Thursday 14th August, 2014 hereby observe as follows:
Whereas the NMA leadership has been making efforts to resolve the current impasse between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the NMA, Whereas the government has not kept her own part of the agreement despite intervention by prominent Nigerians,
Whereas government has placed the life of Nigerians in jeopardy by allowing the NMA strike to be protracted,
Whereas the NMA is actively involved in the treatment of bomb blast victims and contributing to the control of Ebola virus disease epidemic in the country,
Whereas our health facilities are in dilapidated conditions due to prolonged poor funding and incorrect policies by government,
Whereas the country is groaning under the dearth of specialist Doctors (<3000/170 million of Nigerians),
Whereas there are over 25,000 Nigerian Specialists doctors in the USA and over 4,000 in the UK driven away by government’s insensitivity,
Whereas government shows lack of compliance with the laws and norms Governing medical practice in Nigeria,
Whereas government functionaries continue to enjoy medical services abroad at the expense of the tax payers money,
Whereas over the years government has seriously ignored the advice of experts in Nigeria particularly in the last 3 – 4 years.
Consequently, it is hereby resolved as follows:
- NMA condemns in totality the alleged presidential directive via the Federal Ministry of Health suspending residency training programme in Nigeria.
- NMA demands immediate withdrawal of the suspension circular and unconditional reinstatement of the so-called sacked resident doctors.
- Government should show commitment on her part in resolving the current impasse with the NMA rather than resorting to punitive measures that will only further aggravate the already deplorable situation.
- NMA shall resist, by all means, any attempt by government to break her ranks as an Association.
- Rather than abolishing residency training programme, government should show more commitment towards improving the already poorly funded programme.
- Government should improve the nation’s health facilities with a view to discouraging medical tourism abroad.
NMA believes that the current government’s stance will further worsen the present industrial disharmony. In the light of the above therefore:
- NMA hereby directs that no doctor should accept or collect any sack letter or sign any register opened by the government or her agents (hospital).
- For the avoidance of doubt, no medical doctor no matter how hungry, should pick up any locum appointment with the government hospitals as directed by the circular.
- Any doctor who flouts this directive, does so at his/her own peril.
All doctors are hereby directed to remain committed towards containing the Ebola outbreak.
NMA advise the government to ensure that all persons under surveillance for Ebola virus infection do not travel outside their domain of residence.
NMA hereby implore her members to remain calm and await further directives on this matter.
Dr. Kayode OBEMBE (PRESIDENT) Dr. Adewumni ALAYAKI (SECRETARY GENERAL)
ABUJA: Training Schedule for Basic Life Support BLS, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support ACLS, First Aid, CPR, AED
PORTHARCOURT: Training Schedule for Basic Life Support BLS, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support ACLS, First Aid, CPR, AED
LAGOS: Training Schedule for Basic Life Support BLS, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support ACLS, First Aid, CPR, AED
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