HEALTH MATTERS: NMA Calls For Improvement In Nigeria’s Health Care Provision

FRANCIS EZEDIUNO

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has observed that fragmentation, provision of basic health care services, management of staff, funds and other resources are the most significant problems facing the country’s Primary Health Care (PHC) implementation.

It also observed that a lot of hardship has been brought upon many Nigerians by illegal medical quackery practice and the attendant complications occasions by the unhealthy care received.

This observation formed part of the communiqué jointly signed by Doctors Francis Adedayo Faduyile and Odusote Peter Olumuyiwa, the NMA President and Secretary General and issued at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Osogbo, recently.

The medical doctors urged the government to ensure that various funds voted to finance Primary Health Care in Nigeria is judiciously managed and that appropriate steps should be taken to improve on the infrastructure, social amenities and the economy of the Nation.

The communiqué added that the brain drain experienced in the country would be tackled when government improves on

salaries and welfare of health professionals thereby enhancing retention of health personnel.

In ensuring professionalism and improved health care, the union affirmed that Doctor’s stamp would be used as an anti-quackery measure.

“There should be vigilance on the part of the public and patients. The public should insist on Doctor’s stamp on their medical records”.

NMA also reaffirmed its support for the implementation of Patients’ Bill of Rights recently launched by the Federal Government and pushed for the consideration of introduction of Healthcare Workers’ Bill of Rights.

The meeting was declared open by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the governor of the State of Osun who was represented by his Special Adviser on Health, Dr. Olugbenga Oyinlola and the theme of the meeting was, “Alma Ata Declaration on Primary Health Care: Nigeria Scorecard 40 Years After”, while the sub-themes were, “Stemming The Tide of Brain Drain in the Nigerian Health Sector: The Role of Well Equipped Hospitals and Healthcare Workers’ Bill Welfare and Combating Quackery in Medical Practice and NMA Strategic Plan.