Coronavirus kills 16 medical doctors in Nigeria says NMA President

 

ONITSHA, Anambra, Nigeria – President of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Prof. Innocent Ujah on Thursday described, the Nigeria health sector  as being in turmoil, with numerous challenges affecting training and retraining of health professionals.

He also said that the challenges facing the Nigerian health sector were multi-dimensional adding that they include poor infrastructural, inadequate equipment, inadequate manpower and the competing demands for the review of the training curriculum for Doctors.

Ujah disclosed this in an address he presented at the Nigerian Medical Association Awka 2020 National Executive Council NEC, meeting held at Oma Event Center Awka, Anambra state. The NMA NEC meeting  has  the theme “Medical doctors and leadership in the society: Time for a paradigm shift in medical training and a sub theme : Managing mental health in COVID-19 depressed economy.

He said the persistent despair in the health system underscores the need for a paradigm shift in the training of not only medical doctors, but all healthcare professionals in the country.

“We frown at any Medical and Dental practitioner who act in a way that will bring our great profession into public disrepute. NMA will continue to encourage our members to adopt the patient centered approach in clinical practice” he said.

He stated that the  2020 was full of challenges and contradictions and NMA lost about 16 doctors to COVID-19. He however gave glory to God for bringing the surviving doctors to the end of the year.

“I must thank the doctors for their untiring efforts and firmness to contain the global health emergency, the Coronavirus Disease, COVID-19, Pandemic in Nigeria.We are all witnesses to the violent turn of events that followed the #EndSARS protest staged largely by Nigerian youths across the country which affected the smooth continuation of 2020 Physicians Week.

“As if that was most enough, the subsequent destruction of hospital equipment and looting of hospital supplies by hoodlums who hijacked the protest is a sour taste to what was considered to be very well organized and peaceful protest.

“However despite all these, and in addition to working in less than optimal conditions, characterized by inadequate consumables and equipment, shortage of manpower, paltry hazard allowance and near absence of regular and structured capacity development programmes, you have all continued to discharge your duties with diligence and unprecedented commitment.

“I appreciate your support, dedication and sacrifice, and for keeping to the Oath of service and ethics as custodians of the health of our people. We must appreciate God for providing Nigeria with highly committed and dedicated quality medical professionals, “he said.