As a means of stemming the spate of industrial actions in the health sector, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has announced its intention to sanction appropriately, any affiliate or group or state branch of the association that embarks on any strike action without clear approval from the national body.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday, President of NMA, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, disclosed that this was one of the highlights of the communiqué issued at the end of the recently held National Summit in Asaba.
According to him, the summit took a critical look at the alleged indiscriminate and incessant resort to strike actions by medical and health workers, and it resolved that henceforth, besides seeking approval, the affiliate or group or state/FCT should, where such strikes are extremely unavoidable after exploring all options at constructive dialogue, conform to extant laws and the provisions of code of medical ethics.
Enabulele, reading from the summit’s communiqué, said the summit charged the leadership of the various health institutions to proactively prevent strike actions in their institutions.
He also lamented that negative media reports have contributed to the blacklisting of Nigerian medical schools and their graduates by foreign medical bodies.
He called for a review of the country’s health system, saying the summit observed that despite efforts being made by the current leadership, Nigeria’s health system is yet to meet the aspirations and expectations of Nigerians.
“This, the summit was traceable to several factors, including poor funding of the health sector, weak primary and secondary healthcare systems with poor coordination occasioned by an ineffective and inefficient referral system, absence of a legal framework for health, poor access to healthcare facilities and packages by Nigerians, medical tourism etc,” he said.
“Convinced that universal health coverage is critical to significant improvement by the health of Nigerians, the summit harped on the need to accelerate all actions geared towards creating universal health coverage for all Nigerians.
“Consequently, the summit resolved that efforts be stepped up at collaborating with all tiers and levels of government in the formulation of practicable policies and plans aimed at ensuring that every Nigerian, irrespective of place of abode or status, has access to affordable healthcare.”
Among others, the summit also advocated the need to speedily pass the National Health Bill and a National Health Act to allow for the utilisation of the 2 per cent of the consolidated revenue fund provided in the National Health Bill to strengthen primary healthcare and boost access to healthcare facilities by Nigerians in rural communities.
“The summit acalled on Nigerians to always look inwards as exemplified by the Governor of Kogi State, Capt Idris Wada for solutions to their medical problems as Nigeria is blessed with medical experts in virtually all fields of medicine,” he further said.
“It also advised health practitioners who for reasons of financial returns have perfected the habit of referring patients abroad through commissioned agents to desist from the act while offering to assist embassies in the scrutiny of referral forms.”
