The action of the NMA in causing confusion in the Nigeria health sector can be likened to the insurgents and if not checked can go viral and hydra headed. It is sad that NMA who called itself elite Association could be little itself and result to name calling referring to other members of the health sector as amorphous, supportive staff and non- medically qualified.

 

The same NMA who berated the action of Joint Health Sector Unions when they threatened to embark on strike is now declaring an indefinite strike which I refer to as senseless and egocentric as a close look into their demands revealed that none of those things demanded can add value to patient’s care rather enhancing their self earned ego.

 

It is important that Nigerians are enlightened to the facts concerning some of the requests of the Nigeria Medical Association.

 

1. APPOINTMENTS OF DCMAC: 

There is no law in Nigeria that established the position Deputy Chairman Medical Advisory Committee in our health sector but NMA smuggled the position into the administration of our various hospitals through the Federal Ministry of health and exclusively for medical practitioners, a way to siphon public fund. The law that established teaching hospitals in Nigeria referred to as University Teaching Hospitals (Reconstitution of Boards, Etc.) Act otherwise known as Decree 10 of 1985 or Act U 15 LFN 2004 section 5 subsection (4) states that “There shall be for each hospital, a chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee who shall be appointed by the Board and responsible to the Chief Medical Director for all the clinical and training activities of the hospital.” 

 

2. APPOINTMENTS OF DIRECTORS IN THE HOSPITALS: 

Contrary to the claims of NMA that this Position distorts the chain of command in the hospital, induces anarchy and exposes the patient to conflicting treatment and management directives with attendant negative consequences. They should be reminded that aside medical practitioners in the hospitals, there are several other professionals whose scheme of service allows them to reach the peak of their professions which further reiterates the recognition accorded to the practice of each profession and informed decision making. How can the NMA question the statutory positions of other health professionals that have been in place since 2001? It is clear that they are the ones breeding anarchy.

 

3. DEMAND FOR SKIPPING: 

When JOHESU challenged the FMOH circular that ordered reversal of skipping of grade level 10 in the health sector, NMA accused JOHESU of stealing from the Government coffers, a position that was challenged in court and won. At the verge of implementation for other health workers NMA came up asking for skipping. Who is now a thief?

 

4. THE TITLE OF CONSULTANT IN A HOSPITAL SETTING: 

The leadership of NMA should go and check the meaning of a consultant in a dictionary. This simply means professional adviser; an expert who charges fees for providing advice or service in a particular field. Whereas there are a lot of specialists setting in the health sector (Physiotherapy, Dietetics, Medical Laboratory Science, Pharmacy, Radiography, Optometry etc) what then give the NMA the temerity to think they are the only professionals/specialists in the hospital? 

 

5. RELATIVITY IN HEALTH SECTOR: 

There used to be one salary structure in our hospitals until the regime of late Prof. Olikoye Ransome Kuti who initiated the gross disparity in the salary structures in Nigeria hospital in a bid to favour his constituency (NMA) with the advent of circular 1 of 1991which has thrown the bane of the troubles in the health sector till date. An attempt to amend this anomaly failed due to the parochial interest of medical practitioners who wants to go home with sacks of currency in the name of salary while what is earned by others is determined by them making it to look like master- maid relationship. This is sheer selfishness, as the well being of a patient does not rest on the shoulders of the NMA who is still living the old tale.

 

6. IMMEDIATE WITHDRAWAL OF THE CBN CIRCULAR AUTHORIZING THE MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE COUNCIL OF NIGERIA (MLSCN) TO APPROVE LICENSES FOR THE IMPORTATION OF IN-VITRO DIAGNOSTICS (IVDs): 

The singular act of NMA on this matter clearly portrays them as ignorant and lawless. Section 4 subsection (e) of MLSCN Act states that the Council shall power to “regulate the production, importation, sales and stocking of diagnostic laboratory reagents and chemicals; When did NMA become sensor board? NMA is busy chasing shadows by not wanting to obey the law of the land. What a shame.

 

7. RESIDENCY TRAINING: 

NMA enjoys full residency training at the expense of all Nigeria scholars as they are the only set of people that Government trains at the post graduate level. I don’t even know if Nigerian youth enjoys this Father Christmas venture from the Federal Government at post graduate levels and yet they are asking for a review to travel abroad for training at whose expense? NMA keeps talking about international best practices. Is this what happens outside the shores of Nigeria where people pay for trainings? Another way of licking the honey. Alas the funding of this training is taking a chunk of resources from the sector, no wonder other health workers cannot be trained or sponsored to workshops

 

8. THE ORCHESTRATED INTIMIDATION, HARASSMENT AND PHYSICAL ASSAULT BY LABORATORY SCIENTISTS: 

Members of NMA in this department has chosen to continuously disregard government rules, regulations in the Federal Medical Centers, Specialist and Teaching Hospitals. The statutory scheme of service for medical laboratory scientists clearly provides for the functions of the Director, Medical laboratory services; namely: “Taking charge of General Administration of medical laboratory services; Budgeting and ordering for laboratory equipment and reagents; Advising on the formulation, execution and review of medical laboratory policies” among others. This dates back to 1972. Organograms are being designed with complete disregard to structure of professional services as designed by schemes of service; harassment of hardworking professionals; threats of “sack” by Medical Directors, Chief Medical Directors and even Boards of Management. Why won’t there be anarchy when this set of people (NMA) perpetrates organized quackery in the laboratories.

 

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