COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE  55TH ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE/DELEGATES MEETING “THE ROOT 2015” OF THE NIGERIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION HELD AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE, UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN, OYO STATE, FROM 17TH-24TH MAY 2015.

 

PREAMBLE

 

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) held its 55th Annual General Conference/Delegates Meeting,  tagged “the Root 2015” at the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan, Oyo state from the 17th – 24th May, 2015.  The theme of the conference was “The Nigerian Health Sector: Current trends, burning issues and what the future holds.”  The subthemes for the conferencewere disharmony in the health sector: finding a common pathway, National Health act and Clinical Governance and Healthcare Financing: matters arising. The Chairman of the conference was Mr. Rotimi AKEREDOLU SAN, the Keynote Speaker was HRH Dr Haliru Ndanusa YAHAYA and the Special Guest of Honour was the Executive Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency; Senator Isiaka Abiola AJIMOBI and the Royal Father of the day was Oba (Dr) Samuel ODULANA (JP) CFR; Odugade 1, the Olubadan of Ibadanland. Other distinguished guests at the occasion were: Senator Olorunnimbe MAMORA, Prof I.F. ADEWOLE; the Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command represented by ACP Sunday ODUKOYA.

 

During the opening ceremony, the Elders Consultative Forum of the Association was inaugurated. The Forum is Chaired by Prof O.O. AKINKUGBE. Other members include; Prof Jubril AMINU, Prof. Adenike GRANGE, Prof. Shima GYOH, HRH Dr Haliru Ndanusa YAHAYA, Dr Dozie IKEDIFE, Dr Lady Princess F.A KEMELAGHA, Dr Olorunnimbe MAMORA, Dr Peter ODILI and Prof. Umaru SHEHU.

 

Excellent Service Awards were conferred on the following members of the Association; Dr Mrs Valerie OBOT; MWAN President, Professor Joseph ANA; Chairman of Clinical Governance committee, Dr Nosa ORHUE; Chairman, Remuneration Committee, and late Dr Mrs Stella Ameyo ADEDAVOH (post humours)

 

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), after a careful appraisal of the renewed disruption of industrial peace in the Health sector in recent times, is saddened as to what the seeming conspiratorial gang-up portends to national security, economy and general well-being, and therefore, rise to condemn in very strong terms the disruption of services by “Allied Health Workers” in some Federal government- owned hospitals in an attempt to ambush and hold the in-coming administration hostage as they did to the out-going one.

 

We also condemn situations  where these workers, each time they embark on strike, lock-up offices, theatres, laboratories, and vandalise power generating  systems and water supply, and tamper with oxygen supply systems to patients in critical conditions, including pre-mature and newborn babies, all in efforts to impede doctors from continuing to render services during their ill-motivated strike actions.  We call on governments to treat these unbridled acts as genocidal and crime against humanity and bring the culprits to book accordingly. These elements have been allowed to go free from their heinous crimes for too long. Nigeria is today infested with a group of “Allied Health Workers” who completely throw decorum and decency to the winds and hence lack any form of human feelings and empathy. The main goal of this group of hospital workers is clearly   agitation for undeserving power and financial enrichment to the detriment of the lives of patients.

 

We believe that the governments should share in the blame for the recurring crises in the health sector for failing to be decisive and realistic in dealing with the inordinate ambitions and self-serving demands. Time has come when governments should act like true employers

 

We remind both the out-going and in-coming governments that the concept of public –private –partnership (PPP) is a policy of government adopted as part of the National Health Policy 2005. This model of innovative governance has long been accepted as a way forward for the sector and has commenced in some centres with excellent results.  This should now be given greater impetus for the good of Nigerians. For industrial harmony in the Health Sector, we appeal to the Federal Government to release the white paper on the  We sincerely believe and hope the work these experts did will not be allowed to gather dust. The release of the White Paper on Yayale Ahmed Report will greatly enhance industrial harmony and quality of Health care in Nigeria, as the roles and responsibilities of all professions will be clearly defined and strictly regulated by the various regulating bodies.

 

We are deeply concerned at the frenzied nature of reportage in various sections of the Media on issues concerning ill-developments in the polity. We therefore appeal to the media to exercise utmost sense of professionalism in reporting such sensitive discipline as health.  Balanced reportage should be exhibited for the good of the Nigerian public.

 

OBSERVATIONS:

 

The Annual Delegates Meeting and Annual General Meeting of the Association made the following observations.

 

The delegates meeting congratulates the President-Elect; Mohammadu BUHARI for his victory at the March 28 2015 Presidential elections.

 

The meeting observed that the greatest challenge to the incoming administration in the health sector is the Universal Health Coverage (UHC). It further noted that the UHC was placed on global agenda when the 58thWorld Assembly in 2005 adopted a resolution calling on member states to “develop their health systems so that all people have access to health services and do not suffer financial hardship paying for them” (WHO 2005). However, in Nigeria, the National Health Insurance Scheme has just covered 7% of the population while the large segment of Nigerians remains uncovered.

 

The meeting re-affirmed its commitment to peace and harmony in the health sector and its belief in the primacy of patient care in the hospital.

 

The meeting further observed that despite significant development in the health sector over the years, the health indices are dismal and Nigeria is fairing worse than its relatively poorer-neighbours in Africa; death from relatively preventable diseases and conditions remain high and Non Communicable Diseases (NCD) like Hypertension, Diabetes and Kidney diseases which are by far more expensive to manage are increasing in prevalence.

 

The meeting was distressed by the increasing wave of kidnapping of Doctors across the country and the unabated influx of foreign doctors into the country to take up positions particularly in State hospitals at the expense of indigenous competencies.

 

The meeting was similarly dismayed with some States who hitherto have been unable to pay the salaries of Doctors in their employment.

 

The meeting applauded the role of the association at the 200th session of the World Medical Association (WMA) where the NMA President was elected as an Advisor to the WMA.

 

RESOLUTIONS:

 

The Annual Delegates Meeting and Annual General Meeting of the Association resolved as follows:

 

That Government in partnership with other stakeholders in the health sector should mobilize resources and investments operationalizing the National health act and other reforms including entrenching the universal health coverage so that Nigerians will enjoy better health.

 

That the Federal Government of Nigeria should be encouraged to continue to implement the circulars on Skipping and relativity. Similarly, the meeting calls on the Government to re-instate the Oversea Clinical Attachment (OCA) for resident doctors which it suspended. It also viewed the OCA as a veritable tool for building human capacity in the Health sector that will make Nigeria a destination of medical tourism in the future.

 

That the Inspector General of Police should develop more effective strategies to aggressively combat the increasing spate of kidnapping of citizens particularly doctors across the country.

 

That the situation where some State Governments particularly Osun and Oyo States have been unable to pay salaries of workers including Medical Doctors in their employments is unacceptable and urges the affected State Governments to pay all emoluments including the accrued arrears before the  handing over date.

 

Finally, we wish to appeal to the authorities not to do anything that will distort the present operational systems to avoid avalanche of agitations from other professions. Nigeria cannot operate in isolation, and must adhere to best practices obtainable world- wide. The Yayale Ahmed committee report provided the way to actualizing this.

 

We pledge our total support to the in-coming administration, and express our readiness to guide her towards delivering quality and safe health care to our citizens

 

APPRECIATION

 

The Nigerian Medical Association wishes to extend its profound gratitude to the following distinguished Nigerians for their immense contributions towards the success of the Annual Delegates Meeting and Annual General Meeting

 

The Executive Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency; Senator Isiaka Abiola AJIMOBI

 

The Deputy Governor of Oyo State; His Excellency Chief Moses Alake ADEYEMO

 

The Chairman of the conference and former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Mr. Rotimi AKEREDOLU, SAN,

 

The Keynote Speaker and HRH Dr Haliru Ndanusa YAHAYA

 

The Olubadan of Ibadanland; Odugade 1st; Oba (Dr) Samuel ODULANA (JP) CFR;.

 

Prof I.F. ADEWOLE; the Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan,

 

Senator Olorunnimbe MAMORA,

 

Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command.

 

In conclusion, we pray that no individual or group of individuals must attempt to sabotage the efforts of the new administration of  Muhammadu BUHARI GCFR, in its plan to reposition Nigeria for social and economic development, even as we look forward to the positive changes that would take our country to greater heights.

 

(Signed)

 

Dr. Kayode OBEMBE  PRESIDENT                                    

 

Dr. Adewunmi ALAYAKI SECRETARY GENRAL