Posted on: Thu 19-02-2015

PRESS BRIEFING BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE NIGERIAN MEDICAL STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION AT THE FIRST NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (NEC)MEETING WHICH HELD FROM THURSDAY, 5TH OF FEBRUARY TO SUNDAY , 8TH OF FEBRUARY, 2015 AT LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, IKEJA, LAGOS

PREAMBLE
On behalf of the Nigerian Medical students’ Association (NiMSA), I respectfully welcome you to this press briefing by NiMSA. By means of introduction, NiMSA is the umbrella body of over 75, 000 future doctors in Nigeria, the daughter body of the Nigerian Medical Association. We are also an affiliate of the International Federation of Medical Students’ Association. NiMSA represents the thoughts and ideas of future healthcare professionals who have united to lead initiatives that impact positively in the society with the dream of attaining effective healthcare that will ensure hope for a better living.
As part of our National Executive Council meeting which has in attendance officials of Medical Students’ Associations spread across great universities in Nigeria, we see it fit to address the people of Nigeria. We have had meaningful deliberations on issues pertaining to our medical education, ‘welfarism’ and challenges we face as doctors in training. We have not just weighed up the enormous heap of challenges facing us but have tried to make certain that solutions are arrived at. These solutions will not be thoughts alone, but will ensure that devoted action follows. Our discussions during this meeting and others before it have bothered on the Health Sector; Issues facing medical students as well as the forthcoming General Elections.

THE NIGERIAN HEALTH SECTOR
We celebrate notable achievements in health sector in 2014. Worthy of note is the prompt efforts made towards curbing the Ebola scourge. We commend all parties that worked assiduously towards achieving this feat-the government at various levels, non-governmental organisations and other international organisations who gave support during this time. While appreciating healthcare practitioners who worked tirelessly to stem the tide of the dreadful Ebola disease, we remember Dr Stella Adadevoh and other health workers who we lost. May their souls rest in peace. The Nigerian medical students did not shy away from playing their part by sensitising their immediate communities on the disease through programmes put together by their University Medical Students’ Associations, they also were part of volunteer groups in the war against Ebola. We salute their courage, tenacity and readiness to serve humanity.
Also noteworthy are efforts towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) especially; MDGs 2,3,4,5 and 6. With passing of the National Health Bill, stronger commitment to eradicating polio, introduction of the pneumococcal vaccine and revamping the National Health Insurance Scheme-especially the inclusion of platforms for enrolling beneficiaries via mobile devices and reaching students by means of the school enrolment package. This we hope will be exploited by universities across the country to provide proper cover for students. With maternal and child mortality taking on a downward slope, prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV being effective and efforts towards achieving accessible healthcare, the health sector is towing the right path. All that is left is to ensure sustenance and improvement. 
The National Health Bill which was signed into law on the 9th of December, 2014 set the stage to meet the demands of over 70% of our population who are in dire need for basic and accessible healthcare. We appeal that the bill is well implemented so women, children, the elderly and those in the rural communities will have access to routine immunisation and free healthcare services. Healthcare providers would benefit with the bill protecting their rights and ensuring additional funding for primary health care. However Part VI of the bill which bothers on control of organ and tissues has stirred up a lot of concern and this requires a proper interpretation or amendment to ensure the rights of patients and clients are not trampled upon. A clear statement needs to be made on this issue. 
The health sector is thriving despite the travails of the Nigerian system; kudos to the managers of the health sector both public and private. Notwithstanding, there is a lot of ground to be covered.
In the areas of residency training and medical research there is need for deliberate efforts to ensure stability. The tradition of one too many strikes is a let-down that needs a lasting end. If not for anything at all, at least for the sake of patients who are our primary concern and ensuring vibrant medical training at all levels.

NIGERIAN MEDICAL STUDENTS
As the saying goes, ‘Heath is Wealth’ and the wealth of Nigeria is primarily in the health of its people. Therefore, training of the Nigerian Medical Student is the best investment that a government can ever venture into. It is an investment that ensures the future of healthcare in Nigeria is secure. It is imperative that the future doctors are well equipped to give the best of care to every Nigerian. And this requires commitment by all stakeholders- the Government, Regulatory bodies like the Nigerian University Commission, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, as well as the University Managements. Efforts made so far to ensure proper training is highly appreciated. The average Nigerian medical student is very vibrant, resolute and focused; all these have been as a result of the best training given to us- both academic and moral. We however ask for more attention as our training is slowly losing it prestige. Infrastructures in various universities are failing and students’ welfare require attention.
A revisit to our medical training curriculum is mandatory. An enrichment of the conventional medical curriculum is needed to meet world standards. Given world rankings and expert evaluation we seem way behind the rest of the world. Students should be engaged further in research and not just the usual final year projects alone. This would give future physician-scientists chance to develop critical thinking skills needed to meet problems facing the healthcare system. Every Nigerian deserves the best of healthcare and we need to meet up their health needs. 
Also of relevance is the need to concentrate on professional exchange for medical students. It is crucial that we get exposure to global health issues and global practices. The Nigerian medical student cannot keep being a ‘local champion’, it is essential that we are given the opportunity to engage and compete favourably with our counterparts worldwide. We also deserve dedicated scholarship programmes and grants for research works and conferences. We are future leaders of the health care system, the nation at large and as such, capacity building especially in the area management ought to be part of our training, so we can function effectively when the burden of leadership is passed to us.
NiMSA makes no demands of what it has not tried to fulfil in its own capacity. We have been proactive and worked relentlessly to solve a number of the issues we brought up today but I must say we are limited by various circumstances. 
NiMSA facilitates partnership among the various medical student communities in the Nigerian Universities and aim at exposing members to clinical and research exchange at all levels, humanitarian work and global health issues. We have done this via our Standing Committees on: professional exchange (SCOPE), Public Health (SCOPH), Human Rights and Peace (SCORP), Reproductive Health and AIDS (SCORA), Research Exchange (SCORE) and so on. We challenge medical students to bring up solutions to the raging problems in our society. We equally empower them with leadership, advocacy and capacity required in today’s world. I must say that NiMSA is ready to work with any organisation in ensuring better welfare for students and the Nigerian society at large.

2015 GENERAL ELECTIONS
In about 7 days the process of choosing leadership for our dear nation would commence. The Nigerian Medical Students’ Association in line with its scared constitution will be objective, subjecting the manifestos of all candidates to proper scrutiny. We have made good efforts to educate ourselves on the electioneering process and tried learning about the candidates at both state and federal level, executive and parliamentary. NiMSA remains the most prestigious of Nigeria’s student bodies and has never fallen short of this, we trust the choices of our members and are resolved to have our members exercise their franchise as led by their personal conviction. Our message to the every medical student in Nigeria is to steer away from election violence and at every point preach the message of peace. Let do well in exhibiting the good character imparted in us in the course of our training.
In addition, we advise fellow students and youths in general to ensure they get their permanent voters card. It is vital that they evaluate the candidates who have presented themselves for service, seeking out those with genuine desire for a better healthcare system. They must choose candidates who would prioritise the health of nation- both medical and political, because without health, Nigeria cannot grow, the people and the economy will fail to thrive. We implore the youths to see to it that they make the right choices, ignoring sentiments or bias, and ensure that their votes count. We wish the candidates the best in their endeavour, may the best win! 
We commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the good job so far while we pray that the elections run smoothly. It is important that Nigerians do not engage in any form of electoral violence. A better Nigeria would only emerge in an environment of peace and tranquillity.
We are extremely grateful to the media for responding to our call.
We wish Nigeria a free and fair election.
God bless the great Nigerian Medical Students
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Signed:

SERIKI Muritala I. CHILAKA Franklin C.
President, NiMSA 2015 Secretary General, 2015

BAKRE, Hamzat 
PRO, â€ª#‎NiMSA‬

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