NIGERIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
30 April 2017
THE COMMUNIQUE OF THE 57th ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE/DELEGATES MEETING (AGC/ADM) OF THE NIGERIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (NMA) HELD AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE IN CALABAR, CROSS RIVER STATE FROM 23 – 30 APRIL 2017 .
PREAMBLE
The 57th Annual General Conference/Delegates meeting (AGC/ADM) of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) tagged “Paradise City 2017” with the theme TECHNOLOGY IN MEDICINE: Implications for Healthcare in Nigeria and Medical Tourism and Medical Entrepreneurship as subthemes held at the International Conference Centre, Calabar from 23rd – 30th April 2017.
The Chairman of the occasion was HRH Dr Haliru Yahaya, the Emir of Tsonga, the Chief Host was the Executive Governor of Cross River State; Senator Prof Ben Ayade ably represented by the Deputy Governor; Prof. lvara Ejemot Esu. The Special Guest of Honour was the Honourable Minister of Health Prof Isaac F. Adewole ably represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Health of Cross River State; Dr lnyang Asibong, The Royal Father of the Day was the Obong of Calabar His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V and the Mother of the Day was the wife of the Governor of Cross River State Her Excellency Dr Linda Benedict Ayade. The Keynote Speaker was the Group Medical Director NISA-GARKI Hospital, Abuja; Dr Elijah Miner.
ACTIVITIES
- Free Medical outreaches to Okurike in Biase Local Government Area and Mfamosing in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State during which we attended to over 500 patients with medical and surgical needs.
- Courtesy visits to the Obeng of Calabar, the Chief Medical Director of University of Calabar Teaching Hospital; Professor Thomas Agan, the Medical of Federal Neuropsychiatry Hospital Calabar and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar.
- Joint NMA – ANPA (Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas) CME (Continuous Medical Education)
- The 5th Olukoye Ransome Kuti Lecture .
OBSERVATIONS
1. The ADM noted the tendency of some Nigerian elites and top political office holders who promote medical tourism and capital flight from Nigeria by seeking medical treatment for minor medical conditions outside the country even when such expertise exists within Nigeria.
2. The ADM noted the absence of facilities for medical entrepreneurs who want to establish world class hospitals that can compete favourably with similar institutions in developed countries.
3. The ADM was dismayed by the deteriorating infrastructures in the public hospitals, bad road networks, poor electricity supply, unacceptable high rates of kidnapping and armed robbery acoss Nigeria.
4. The ADM observed with great disappointment the ongoing effort by Government to harmonize salaries of the various cadres in the Ministry of Health despite the long existing relativity in salary in the civil service as seen in other ministries and pasastatals.
5. The ADM noted the continuous silence of Government on the report of the Yayal e Ahmed committee which contains the ingredients for improved inter professional relationships within the health sector.
6. The ADM decried the casualization of medical doctors and non-release of the white papers on so many committee reports.
7. The ADM noted the effort of National Assembly on the need for the operationalization of the National Health Act and providing legal backing to the Residency Training Program.
8. The ADM further observed the non-reconstitution of some health related regulatory councils and boards.
9. The ADM in remembrance of the Ekiti 6 + 1 observed one minute of silent prayers in honour of the souls of our deceased colleagues.
10. The ADM noted the poor handling of the meningitis outbreak in some parts o f the country and the nonproduction of vaccines locally in Nigeria.
11. The ADM observed the non-existence of treatment guideline for Assisted Reproductive Techniques ( ART) in the country.
12. The ADM observed that the Federal Government is yet to implement some of the agreement reached with it after several years.
13. The joint NMA-ANPA partnership on healthcare services in Nigeria noted with dismay poor leadership skills and declining standards in medical education.
14. The ADM observed the increasing misconducts among medical practitioners in Nigeria.
RESOLUTIONS
1. The ADM ratified the appointment of Dr. Augustine Umoh as the Editor of the Nigerian Medical Journal (NMJ).
2. The ADM ratified the adoption of NMA stamp/seal for Medical Practitioners to checkmate quackery in Nigeria.
3. The ADM ratified the affiliation to NMA of the Medical and Dental Specialist Association in Basic Medical Science (MEDSABAMS)
4. The ADM ratified and adopted the amendments to the constitution of the Nigerian Medical Association effective from 29th April 2017.
5. The ADM advocates for a single digit interest rate on loan facilities for members of the Association who want to establish world class hospitals that can compete favourably with similar institutions in developed countries.
6. The ADM called on the Federal Government to ensure implementation and adherence to our collective agreements to forestall incidents of unnecessary and avoidable industrial disputes.
7. The ADM call on the Federal Government to release the white paper on the Yayale Ahmed report.
8. The ADM calls on Federal Government to commence full implementation of the provisions of the National Health Act and provide legal backing for the RTP.
9. The ADM calls on the Federal Government to immediately reconstitute the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and boards of tertiary health institutions and parastatals.
10. The ADM strongly recommends to the FG to be proactive, have a strong rapid emergency response to disease outbreaks and resume immediate local production of vaccines in the country.
11. The ADM urges the Society of Gynaecologists/Obstetricians of Nigeria (SOGON) to develop a National Fertility Protocol for ART in Nigeria.
12. The ADM endorses partnership between NMA-ANPA to promote strong leadership standards and medical education in the health sector.’
13. The ADM strongly rejects any attempt to harmomise salary and wages in the health sector and call on government to avoid any action capable of escalating industrial disharmony in the health sector.
14. The ADM adopted the report of the National Disciplinary Committee to sanction our erring members nationwide.
15. The ADM conferred the award of FELLOW OF NIGERIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (FNMA) to the following members.
i. Dr Prosper Igobeli – Past President of NMA
ii. Dr. Idris Omede – Past President of NMA
16. The ADM also conferred the DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD to the following individuals:
i. His Excellency Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa; the Executive Governor of Delta State.
ii. His Excellency Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari; the Executive Governor of Katsina State.
iii. Distinguished Senator Muhammad Adamu Aliero.
iv. Distinguished Senator Olarewaju Tejuoso
v. Hon. Betty Apiafi.
vi. Hon Chike Okafor
vii. Dr Osahon Enabulele
viii. Dr Kenneth J. Okoro
ix. Dr Fatima Zara Mairami
x. Dr Aniekeme Uwah
xi. Dr Clement Onwube
APPRECIATIONS
On behalf of the entire membership of the Nigerian Medical Association, the President and the NOC express their heartfelt gratitude to the following distinguished individuals:
1. The Chairman of the occasion was HRH Dr Haliru Yahaya, the Emir of Tsonga.
2. The Executive Governor of Cross River State Senator Prof Ben Ayade.
3. The Deputy Governor; Prof. lvara Ejemot Esu.
4. The Honourable Minister of Health; Prof Isaac F. Adewole.
5. The Honourable Commissioner of Health of Cross River State; Dr lnyang Asibong.
6. The Obong of Calabar His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V.
7. The wife of the Governor of Cross River State Her Excellency Dr Linda Benedict Ayade .
8. The Keynote Speaker; Dr Elijah Miner.
9. All the Nigerian Delegates from USA, Canada, Great Britain and Germany.
10. The Local Organising Committee and Members of Cross River branch of NMA.
Professor Ozovehe Ogrima.
President
Dr. Jusuf Tanako Sununu
Secretary General