Nigeria Medical Association, (NMA,) has blamed what happened to the former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu on poor disposition of the federal and state governments to medical attention and facilities.
The association believes if the governments had done the right thing by revitalising the nation’s health sector, there wouldn’t have been any need for medical tourism or such sharp moves that got Senator Ekweremadu jailed in the United Kingdom for human organ harvesting.
The 63rd Annual General Conference (AGC) and the Annual Delegate Meeting (ADM) of the Nigeria Medical Association holds in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State,
The meeting of medical personnel from across the country dwelt on issues affecting members and the nation at large.
It eventually came up with a blueprint on how the challenges in health sector can be surmounted.
It is not surprising that medical tourism comes up with Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his organ harvesting conviction as a case in point.
In its communique, the NMA National President, Dr. Uche Ojinmah, expresses deep concern over the conviction of Senator Ike Ekweremadu, his wife Beatrice and a medical doctor, Obinna Obeta.
Medical practitioners are urged to pay serious attention to the laws and ethics of the profession.
They are warned on professional misconduct, negligence, confidentiality, Organ donation, reproductive technologies, abortion, medical research, informed consent, doctor-patient relationship and ethics meant to strengthen healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
The association also commends Governors of Ondo, Ekiti and Adamawa States for their friendly policies which they believe will boost the health sector in their various states.
It also called out the Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma and his Benue State counterpart, Samuel Ortom, over their alleged lukewarm attitude towards doctors and civil servants’ remunerations, advising them to go back to the drawing board.
The NMA, attributes the ongoing massive brain drain in the sector to a host of factors including poor salaries, arrears and insecurity.
He urges the federal government to as a matter to declare state of emergency in the sector.
The AGC/ADM, which took place at the Catholic event centre in Jalingo was attended by medical doctors from the 36 states of the country and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
