Health

Hundreds of Fiditi Residents Benefit from NMA Free Medical Outreach   

By Web News 456

By Fasilat Lawal

Over One hundred residents of Fiditi and its environs have benefited from a free Medical Outreach Organized by Nigerian Medical Association of Nigeria, NMA, Oyo State Chapter.


The  outreach, which was held at Bethel  American International School Clinic, Fiditi, as part of activities to Mark 2023 NMA Physician Week included Blood Pressure, Blood Glucose, Ear , Dentistry and eye test.

Chairman, OYO NMA, Dr Wale Lasisi who led the team of medical personnel, said the Association undertook the exercise to give back to the society.

In an interview with Radio Nigeria, Vice Chairman Of the Association, Dr Olufemi Aworinde said the aim of free medical outreach was to ease hardship of people in the community who do not have access to  medication by giving them treatment noted that Health is Weath.

A member of the Association, Dr Olugbenga Akintunde, in a health talk, advised the beneficiaries, most of whom were elderly, to avoid high intake of salt, cholesterol, sugar content, which are risk factors for diseases including diabetes and hypertension.


Dr Akintunde implored them to always consume vegetables, fresh fruits and ensure they go for regular medical checkup.

Some of the beneficiaries appreciated Nigerian Medical Association Oyo State Chapter for the free medical test, and called on other Associations to emulate the Association gesture.

The Principal of Bethel American International School, Fiditi Oyo town, Mrs Funmi Omoseyimi Commended NMA Oyo State Chapter for adopting the School to Facilitate the Free Medical Outreach.

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Health

NMA Urges Govt to Employ 600L Med Students, Pay CONMESS, CONHESS

By Web News 670

By Fasilat Lawal

Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Oyo State Chapter Chairman, Dr Wale Lasisi has advised Federal Government to consider employing 600 Level medical students that will be paid stipends to address brain drain in the country. 

Dr Lasisi stated this while speaking to newsmen as parts of activities marking Physician Week in the State.

He explained that the stipends would be a form of bond that would not allow medical students to relocate abroad for a period of time instead of giving liberty to hospitals to employ the services of retired medical doctors to Bridge the syndrome of travelling massively.

He expressed reservation on the widely reported cases of organ harvesting in the country, called for more investigation on the practice in the country.

The NMA 2023 Physician Week activities include opening ceremony, free medical outreach and physician heal thyself.

In a related development, NMA has called on government to immediately commence the payment of the recently CONMESS and CONHESS salary structures with arrears to medical workers.

President of NMA, Dr Uche Ojinmah made the call at a news Conference organised to commence the 2023 physicians week held at NMA House, Total Garden, Ibadan.

The NMA President whose message was read by Chairman, NMA , Oyo State Chapter, Dr. Wale Lasisibsaid the call became imperative to ensure non interference of health care delivery appealed to Oyo State Government to approve and immediately implement the upward review of hazard allowances for State Doctors and other health care workers in the State as applicable in most states.

Dr. Ojinmah expressed dissatisfaction over the Persistent attempt by certain individuals especially as it relates to board licensing of foreign trained medical graduates, calling on National Assembly to resist being used under any guise to compromise the quality of health care delivery in Nigeria.

The NMA President implored Doctors to always take care of their health in other to deliver care of the highest standard to patients and be more patient with their patients saying Nigerians are passing through trying times.

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Health

We are ready to partner on quality healthcare, Egbedun Assures NMA

By Web News 451

By Mojisola Oladele

The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Prince Adewale Egbedun has stressed the importance of a healthy population to support the economic growth of any society.

Prince Egbedun stated this while playing host to members of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA at the Assembly complex in Osogbo, the state’s capital. 

He lauded the leadership of Osun NMA for not joining the strike action embarked upon across the country and  commitment towards improving healthcare delivery in the State.

The Speaker maintained that  Osun 8th Assembly would not relent at supporting the NMA to enable residents to enjoy quality healthcare services. 

In a remark, the Chairman of NMA in Osun State, Doctor Adetoye Adedapo explained that thier visit was part of the activities lined up for the ongoing 2023 Osun Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference.

Doctor Adedapo commended the State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke for his regular support towards doctors in the state, which according to him was one of the reasons why Osun NMA did not join the ongoing nationwide strike.

Other members of the team included; Doctor Adeniyi Fasanu, Doctor Adeyemi Amuda, Doctor Fayowole Nana, Doctor Akinjide, Doctor Atinuke Anjorin amongst other medical practitioners in the State.

In his words, he said “Your noble profession is doing well for the people of the State in terms of quality health delivery, most especially for not joining the nationwide strike which is in appreciation of the gesture of Sen. Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke led administration” Rt. Hon. Egbedun

” I appreciates the leadership of the 8th Assembly for honouring our request to be part of their annual programme for this year and also sought the support of the lawmakers for effective health delivery to all and sundry in the state and to cushion the adverse effect of the “Japa Syndrome” Doctor Adedapo

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Health

NMA Down tools over Colleague’s Death

By Web News 517

The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Lagos State chapter, has directed all the doctors working in the three government hospitals on the Lagos Island to begin an indefinite strike over the death of its colleague, Dr Vwaere Diaso.

The NMA also declared a five-day mourning period in the state and asked doctors in the other government-owned hospitals to scale down activities as a mark of respect for the dead colleague.

The hospitals to embark on the indefinite strike are the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos; Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, Lagos, and the Massey Street Children’s Hospital, Lagos.

The association said Diaso died on Tuesday at the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos, after she was trapped in the elevator for more than 40 minutes before she was rescued, and there was no blood available to resuscitate her.

The NMA made this known in a press statement signed by its state Chairman, Dr Benjamin Olowojebutu, and Secretary, Ismail Ajibowo, on Wednesday.

“The NMA Lagos State received with rude shock the death of one of our members, Dr Vwaere Diaso, a medical house officer, whose death occurred as a result of injuries sustained when the elevator she was in crashed. This is heartbreaking, heart-wrenching, and quite unfortunate. We commiserate with her immediate family, her colleagues on the Island, the Medical Guild, and all body of doctors in Lagos State. The information we got was that she was trapped in the elevator for more than 40 minutes before she was rescued.

“We were also reliably informed that there was no blood available for resuscitation, and this has become a recurring issue as a result of the review made by the government on the previous policy on blood donation.

“To us, this was an avoidable death and it’s unfortunate that it was allowed to happen. We are pained and we are mourning. We are well aware that this same elevator has been a source of problem for many years during which several complaints have been made to all relevant agencies with no respite, the statement read in part.

The association, however, demanded an immediate and unbiased investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“We declare a five-day statewide mourning period; we demand an immediate, unbiased investigation into the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate incident; all those found culpable in this matter, especially the General Manager of the Lagos State Infrastructure Management Agency, Ms Adenike Adekambi, are all brought to justice.

“We direct all our doctors in the three government hospitals on the Island (GH Lagos, LIMH, and MSCH) to commence indefinite strike action until the investigations are completed and justice served; we immediately direct our doctors in all the other government hospitals to scale down activities as a mark of respect for our dead colleague. Only emergency services should be rendered for the next five days.

“The government should as a matter of urgency commence the complete overhaul of the house officers’ quarters on the island; all other infrastructures in all our government hospitals that need repairs should be urgently attended to. The blood transfusion system in Lagos State needs immediate revamping for improved services.

“As a result of this sad incident, the State Officers Committee of the Nigerian Medical Association, Lagos State, has decided that the upcoming Annual General Meeting will be a low-key event as a mark of respect to our colleague. We appeal to our colleagues to remain calm as NMA Lagos State leadership is on top of the situation and will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that justice is not just served but seen to have been served,” the statement noted.

Punch / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Health

Akeredolu Orders Immediate Recruitment of Health Workers

By Web News 1472

Ondo State governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has ordered the immediate employment of more health workers to boost healthcare services in the state.

The governor made this known when he played host to the executive members of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Ondo State chapter.

Governor Akeredolu said the government was looking into other critical challenges facing the health sector with the aim of finding solutions.

He further disclosed that the ongoing construction work at UNIMED facilities in Akure and Ondo Town would soon be completed with the procurement of more equipment and payment of outstanding allowances of medical practitioners.

Earlier, the chairman of NMA, Ondo State chapter, Dr Omosehin Adeyemi-Osowe applauded the governor for being proactive in the area of security and improved infrastructure.

Dr Adeyemi-Osowe sought more collaboration between the government and the association to address the brain drain among health workers.

Isaac Afolabi

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Health

Improved welfare will check brain drain in health sector- NMA

By Web News 507

Nigeria Medical Association , NMA believes improved welfare for Doctors in the country will check brain drain in the health sector.

The Chairman NMA , South West Zone , Dr Oladayo Ogunlana gave the insight when he led executive members of the association to pay a condolence visit to governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu in Akure over the June 5th Owo church attack.

While commending the governor for his immediate response to the needs of the victims and other interventions such as establishment of AMOTEKUN , Dr Ogunlana charged Mr Akeredolu to further encourage other south west governors to be more active where it concerns security.

Responding, Governor Akeredolu applauded NMA and other medical institutions for treating patients of Owo terror attack.

Governor Akeredolu also use the opportunity to re – echoed the need for community policing which he said was the antidote for the insecurity challenges in the country.

On brain drain,the governor said plans were underway to provide a better working environment for health workers in the state.

Isaac Afolabi

Health

Health Workers Lament Unpaid Salaries

By Web News 620

The healthcare workers under the Ondo State Government have lamented the non-payment of four months’ salary arrears.

The State Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association and the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, in separate interviews with newsmen, confirmed they received the January 2022 salary barely two weeks ago.

The NMA Chairman in the State, Dr. Stella Adegbehingbe, said the doctors in the state were working despite not being paid for February, March, April, and May.

Dr. Adegbehingbe said many doctors working in the state health facilities had either travelled abroad to seek greener pastures or gone to the federal-owned hospitals for better and prompt pay.

“We are working despite not being paid; we’ve been on it and that is what is happening in Ondo State, people are working and not being paid.

“This has led to some people leaving the state hospitals for Federal Government hospitals in Lagos and some people have travelled out,” Adegbehingbe said.

Also speaking, the State Secretary of NANNM, Mr. Aina Oluwasegun, confirmed that the nurses only received their January salary barely two weeks ago.

“The nurses are only struggling to survive; for the salary of a civil servant not to be paid is not an easy thing, you know that their financial obligations will not be met.

“If you take a look at the number of nurses in the state before they start owing salary, it has reduced drastically because virtually everybody is struggling to go and get jobs in other places, a lot of people have moved to other countries to seek greener pastures, even those that did not plan that before, the unpaid salary has made everybody willing to go.

“If the situation does not improve, the number of nurses in the state will still drop drastically. Some people never plan to leave the country but the unpaid salary has made them to travel out.”

Mr. Oluwasegun urged the state government to prioritise the health sector.

“We have been trying our best for the government to come to our aid regarding the payment of salary. We have been putting efforts for the government to prioritise the health sector considering the efforts of nurses during the pandemic when every other worker was at home, but there has not been any priority,” he said.

Punch / Titilayo Kupoliyi

Health

Breaking: Court Orders Resident Doctors To Suspend Nationwide Strike

By Web News 588

The Abuja Division of the National Industrial Court (NIC) has ordered the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to suspend its ongoing nationwide strike, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has said.

According to a statement by the ministry’s spokesperson, Charles Akpan, the court presided by Justice John Targema gave the order on Monday afternoon.

This followed an ex-parte motion filed on Friday last week by the Federal Ministry of Health, seeking an order of interlocutory injunction restraining members of NARD from further continuing the industrial action pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The heath ministry stated that the strike which began on August 2 was contrary to Section 41 of the Trade Dispute Act.

The motion brought under Suit No: NICN/ABJ/197/2021 has the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Government as first and second claimants/applicants and NARD as the only defendant/respondent.

During proceedings on Monday, according to Akpan, the court heard the motion ex-parte and affidavit in support sworn by the Director of Legal Services at the health ministry, Ahmed Nasiru.

He revealed that Justice Targema granted an order of interlocutory injunction, compelling all members of the defendants/respondents in all the states of the Federation to suspend the industrial action and resume work immediately, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

“The court held that the continued downing of tools by the striking doctors have inflicted a lot of damage on the health system and the sick, especially in this perilous time of COVID-19 pandemic,” the statement said.

“Targema further ordered that the claimant/applicant and the defendant/respondent suspend all forms of hostilities forthwith pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

“The judge adjourned the matter to September 15, 2021 for the hearing of the motion on notice and any other pending application.

In his reaction, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, described the court ruling as a welcome development.

He, however, reassured the affected doctors that the ruling would not prevent the Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget Office of the Federation (BOF), Office of the Head of Service of the Federation (OHOCSF) and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages and Commission (NSIWC) from the implementation of the agreements contained in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) reached at the last meeting with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and affiliate associations with timelines affixed to them.

The NMA had led three doctors’ associations to the negotiation that lasted several hours on Friday after a series of negotiations between the government and the doctors failed.

Nations

Health

NMA advocates Universal Health Coverage for Nigerians

By Web News 584

President, Nigeria Mediation Association (NMA), Prof. Innocent Ujah has advocated for Universal Health Coverage for all Nigerians irrespective of financial statuses.

The NMA President who made this advocacy when he visited the Gbom Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Buba in his palace in Jos also noted that Nigeria accounts for some of the best doctors in the world but would continue to lose its doctors to other nations if hospital facilities are not improved.

He noted that a viable way of curbing the brain drain plaguing the country’s health sector was to improve hospital facilities and the welfare of doctors and appealed to the Gbong Gwom to assist in this regard.

The Gbom Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba observed that the NMA as a professional body should consider their services as humanitarian and commended the patriotism of members of the association who decided to remain in the country despite challenges in the sector.

A free Medical outreach was also launched by the association at Jos Correctional Centre as part of activities marking the event.

FRCN, Abuja

Security

Health Workers Withdraw Services over Kidnap of Members in Ogun

By Web News 1206

Following the kidnap of another health worker in Ogun state, members of the Nigeria Medical Association and the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives under the employ of Ogun state government have withdrawn their services until government guarantee their safety.

The health workers in a joint letter signed by the state Chairman of NMA, Doctor Oladayo Ogunlaja and state Chairman of NANNM, Mrs. Roseline Solarin written to the Ogun state government through the Commissioner for Health stated that the recent kidnapping of their members has revealed that the government could not their guarantee safety.

The health workers also described the non-readiness of the government to negotiate with the abductors of their members as unacceptable noting that the government has not shown commitment in rescuing the victims.

They called on the government to make security of lives and property a priority before their return to duties.

Another health worker a dental therapist was reportedly kidnapped in Ijebu Igbo six days after a doctor and a nurse were kidnapped along Imeko Afon road.

The situation has brought the number of health worker abducted across Ogun state to three within seven days.

Wale Oluokun

Education

COVID-19: Reopening Schools Not Safe For Pupils, Citizens — Oyo NMA

By Web News 663

It is not yet safe to reopen schools in Oyo state, the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA has revealed.

NMA, in a press statement on Thursday, commended the efforts of the Seyi Makinde led COVID-19 taskforce in Oyo State for its efforts to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 in the state.

However, inthe statement, which was jointly signed by the NMA chairman, Dr. Akin Sodipo and Secretary, Dr. Okuwaseun Adebayo, the association described the announcement by the state government that final year primary and secondary school students should resume on the 29th of June as a surprising one.

According to them, “the NMA, being a critical stakeholder in the war against the pandemic has been following closely the progression of the disease and its attendant morbidities and modalities within the state and the country at large and can conveniently say from statistics at hand that these decisions, although with good intentions, may not be a safe one for the school pupils and indeed the citizens of the state at large at this time that the disease appears to be on the increase.”

They then appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde to reconsider his decision to reopened schools and religious centers for the time being.

Adebayo Abdulrahman/Adewumi Faniran

Health

Oyo NMA Chairman Calls for Calm as Nigeria Records 1st Case of Covid 19

By Web News 1167

The Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Oyo State, Dr Akin Sodipo has urged members of the public to remain calm but maintain basic personal hygiene practices as the first case of COVID 19 also known as Coronavirus is recorded.

The case was of an Italian citizen who was in Nigeria for a brief business visit but fell ill and was taken to Lagos State Biosecurity Facilities for isolation and testing.

Dr Sodipo in an Interview with Radio Nigeria advised people to wash their hands with soap and water, use alcohol-based sanitizer, and avoid crowded places while people coughing or sneezing should stay indoors until they are better.

He urged medical practitioners and other health workers to be vigilant at this point and adopt safety measures such as wearing of face masks and gloves and prompt isolation of patients with symptoms of the disease to prevent spread.

Dr Sodipo assured residents that no case of COVID 19 has been confirmed in Oyo state but that the government was intensifying efforts to contain any outbreak of the virus.

Globally, more than eighty thousand people in about fifty countries have been infected while up to two thousand eight hundred have died.

Many countries are taking actions to prevent spread.

For instance, China, Hong Kong, Japan and Iraq have ordered schools closed while Saudi Arabia has halted travel to Mecca and Medina for this year’s Humrah.

Back home in Nigeria, a multi-sectoral Coronavirus preparedness group led by Nigeria Center for Disease Control, NCDC, has activated its operations centre which will work closely with Lagos State health authorities to respond quickly to any case.

Anthonia Akanji