By Haruna Gimba
The 3rd National Health Summit (NHS) of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has resolved to support the implementation of the health policies of the health agenda of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, across both national and subnational levels targeting improving population health indices through maximising local content to achieve Universal health coverage.
A communique issued at the end of the 3rd NMA National Health Summit and the December 2024 National Executive Council (NEC) of the association held from December 2nd to 6th in Abuja, resolved to continue to engage in its four key strategic corporate responsibilities; care for the health and social well-being of orphans and other vulnerable children, caring for the health, empowerment and humanitarian assistance to widows and other vulnerable women, caring for the health and empowerment and humanitarian people with disabilities
The NEC stated its resolve to form partnerships to strengthen primary health care services by leading the advocacy for the operationalisation and appointments of Medical Officers of health in each of the 774 LGAs in Nigeria
They also called for a partnership with national and state legislative assemblies to enhance innovative financing, oversight functions, making and review of laws of implantation
The Summit resolved to use the appropriate communication strategy in engaging the appropriate authorities especially the Nigerian Governors Forum to drive/advocate for the regular hosting of the State Council on Health meetings.
The NEC and the NHS resolved that completion of the NMA house was a necessity and should be pursued via strategic engagement and partnerships making to ensure that it is a viable self-sustaining enterprise.
The NEC appealed to all Nigerians to support the project and urged members of the Association to support the project willfully and without coercion
The 3rd NMA National Health Summit and the December 2024 National Executive Council Meeting of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) was held in Abuja, from December 2nd to 6th.
The theme of the Conference and Meeting was “Healthcare Delivery in Nigeria: Translating Policies to Impact.”
The National Health Summit (NHS) appraised the National Health Sector Renewal and Investment Initiative using the Sector Wide Approach (SWAP) and noted that it was a significant step in the right direction in ensuring that every Nigerian has access to good and quality healthcare.
The NHS noted that presence of improved welfare packages for Nigeria doctors and other health workers, provision of health insurance packages, and improved security at the workplace were key drivers to achieving any progress in the health sector that can accelerate sustained development
The NHS highlighted the importance of continuous collaboration with Medical and Health workers in diaspora and expressed the need to initiate and sustain progressive partnerships that can benefit the Nigerian health sector.
The NHS decried the lack of motivation among health workers, especially the younger colleagues, and the absence of appropriate mentorship to facilitate and maintain health workforce sustainability. The need to have an appropriate reward system was mooted.
The NHS observed that lack of a clinical governance system in our hospitals was detrimental to enhanced practice accountability and improved health outcomes and highlighted the need to urgently institute an integrated clinical governance mechanism across all health facilities.
The Summit noted with concern the partial and non-implementation of certain segments of the National Health Act (NHA) and observed that issuance of certificate of standards to hospitals which was contained in the Act was necessary to improve practice and citizen confidence in the healthcare delivery system.
The NEC observed with concern the disparity in remuneration that is applicable to Doctors in Nigeria especially those working in State governments, private institutions and some MDAs. The need to create a minimum benchmark for remuneration for doctors was discussed.
The NEC noted with applause the efforts of the Nigerian Governors Forum in ensuring universal applicability of improved remuneration, pay parity and welfare packages for doctors working in the employment of the State government and specifically noted the exemplary efforts of Governors Professor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Babajide SanwoOlu of Lagos State, Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State, Alex Otti of Abia State, Alhaji Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State and Prince Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.
The National Health Summit and the National Executive Council Meeting was heralded by courtesy calls on the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa and the Director General of the Nigerian Blood Service Agency, Prof. Saleh Yuguda.
The 8th Dr Stella Adadevoh Memorial Free Medical Outreach was held at Mamusa community, Aco, Lugbe, FCT Abuja where members of the community benefitted from free medical consultations, screening for various medical conditions and distribution of free medications.
The National Executive Council (NEC) meeting which followed the conclusion of the National Health Summit had in attendance State Chairmen from 36 states and the FCT, statutory and ad-hoc Committee Chairmen as well as medical doctors from over the country had enriching and stimulating conversations.
The NMA President Prof. Bala Audu in his remarks appreciated members for their participation in the just concluded 3rd National Health Summit and reiterated his commitment to ensuring that the health system works for all Nigerians and also his desire and commitment to improved welfare for all Nigerian doctors.
