PRESIDENT BUHARI RECEIVES MEMBERS OF THE NMA LED BY PRESIDENT UJAH.
- Appeals to Resident Doctors to call off strike.
His Excellency, The President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari GCFR earlier today received members of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), led by the President, Prof (Dr)Innocent A O Ujah FNMA, FNAmed,mni at the State House, Abuja.
The NMA President, in his opening remarks thanked the President for granting the courtesy call and apologized for the inability of the association to honour the earlier scheduled courtesy call.
He also appreciated President Buhari for the appointment of her members into the leadership of various MDAs including the recently constituted Health Sector Reform Committee, where the NMA President is a member.
The NMA President further used the opportunity to draw the attention of Mr President to a myriad of issues militating against effective health care delivery in the country and those needing his urgent attention.
Some of these issues included;
- The ongoing NARD strike.
- The release of the white paper on the Alhaji Yayale Ahmed Report.
- The COVID-19 pandemic and effect on national development.
- The raging controversy between holders of PhD and fellowship by Medical Doctors in some Universities .
- Worsening insecurity due to Insurgency, banditry , kidnappings and abduction
- The need for the Establishment of Health ( Infrastructure) Bank.
- Universal Health Coverage (UHC)/ National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Other requests made included;
- Assent to the Medical and Dental Practitioners Repeal and Re-enactment Bill.
- Establishment of new Universities of Health Sciences and Teaching Hospitals.
- Waivers on import duties for medical equipment amongst others.
In his response, the President said he was delighted to host the NMA President and members of his delegation.
He congratulated the President and members of the NOC on their election and the leadership role the association is providing in the health sector.
He assured the NMA delegation of his administration’s commitment towards ensuring all the terms of the agreement entered into between his government and the various affiliates of the association.
He highlighted the achievements recorded by his administration in the health sector, some of which included approvals for payment of Basic Health Care Provision Fund, Increased budgetary allocation for health, Establishment of molecular Laboratories, Isolation Centers and oxygen plants in various states in the country etc.
Those in attendance at the visit included;
- Mr Boss Mustapha ( Secretary of the Government of the Federation)
- Dr Osagie Ehanire ( Minister of Health)
- Senator ( Dr) Olorunimbe Mamora ( Minister of State, Health)
- Senator(Dr) Chris Ngige ( Minister of Labour and employment)
Those in the NMA delegation included;
- Prof Rasaaq Adebayo ( 1st Vice President)
- Dr Daiyabu Alhaji Ibrahim ( 2nd Vice President)
- Dr Ekpe Philips Uche ( Secretary General)
- Dr Saliu Olugbenga Oseni ( Deputy Secretary General)
- Dr Eric Azuka Anazodo ( National Treasurer)
- Dr Pobe Degri Jauro ( National Financial Secretary)
- Dr Aniekeme Aniefiok Uwah JP( National Publicity Secretary)
- Prof Francis Adedayo Faduyile ( Immediate Past President)
- Dr Olumuyiwa Peter Odusote ( Immediate Past Secretary General)
- Prof Wole Atoyebi ( Past President)
- Dr Omede Idris ( Past President)
- Prof Ibrahim Yakassai mni( Chairman, Committee of Provosts)
- Dr Mininim Oseji ( President, MWAN)
- Dr Mairami Fatima Zara ( Chairman, Committee on Ethics)
- Dr Nankling Lamu ( Chairman, Committee on Programmes and Protocols)
Dr Aniekeme Uwah JP
National Publicity Secretary
Nigerian Medical Association
10092021
nationalnma.org
