…Urges government to fix the health sector
From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Chairman, Kaduna State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Madaki David Sheyin, has warned fake medical doctors and quacks to stay off the profession, saying the association will not give them breathing space to operate and go scot-free.
Addressing a press conference on Monday as part of activities to mark the 2023 ‘Physicians’ Week’, Dr Sheyin called on government to fix the health sector to the people better, adding that even NMA members are facing health challenges.
The medical week has the theme: Elevating Health Care Excellence; ‘Fighting Medical Quackery and Reinforcing Professional Standards’
According to the NMA chairman, “We use this medium to humbly sound a note of warning to all practitioners of quackery in the State and the nation at large.
“The NMA has resolved to work with relevant stakeholders to ensure all forms of quackery is stamped out in the State.
“We will not hesitate to chastise our members and continually urge them to uphold the utmost professionalism, support the association in ridding it of all forms of quackery.
“We have embarked on a massive awareness campaign and sensitization on the activities of quacks and practice of quackery in the State.
“We also frown at the media trial of Nigerian doctors and request that the rule of law be observed and follow due process if aggrieved or in discharging their responsibilities”.
Dr. Sheyin also spoke on the responsibility of Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), saying,”If anyone has any case against a doctor practicing in Nigeria, it should channel such to the Registrar of Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) for appropriate response being the body statutorily saddled with such responsibility.
“The Nigerian Medical Association hereby express her displeasure at the recent media trial of some healthcare workers by the Minister of Women Affairs.
“Furthermore, the routine incapacitation of the Medical and Dental Council (MDCN) regulatory function is no longer acceptable.
“The Act setting up the MDCN stated that the Council shall be in perpetuity but the practice whereby government allows the Council of MDCN to elapse without replacement especially for long durations compromise the ability to regulate medical practice properly as the Investigative Panel and Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Tribunal which are organs of the Council cannot be constituted.
“Hence no case of medical negligence or malpractice can be investigated or tried. This is not fair on Nigerians and should be immediately resolved by reconstituting the Council or granting extension of lifespan to the previous Council.
“The plan to stop funding Medical and Dental Council (MDCN) from next year to us is ill conceived and can only lead to disaster. The job of MDCN which is regulation of medical and dental practice is so important that funding her by government is appropriate.
“If we stop funding the MDCN, I wonder who we want to do it? Probably the doctors and dentists will take over funding a body that regulates and may punish them if necessary. Let us remember that he that pays the piper may dictate the tune. We call on our dear government to continue to fund MDCN in the interest of the health and wellbeing of our citizenry.
“As Nigerian doctors continue to deliver free medical and surgical treatment to vulnerable Nigerians periodically, I implore all doctors to also remember to take care of your own health in order to deliver care of the highest standard to our patients.
“I call on all of us to be more patient with our patients as many Nigerians are passing through trying times and hence may be a bit more difficult to handle.
“I hereby call on all Nigerian doctors to rise above religious, tribal and political encumbrances to work only for a better Nigeria”.
