…Condemns JOHESU’s malignancy
…Strike threat
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, have given a nod to the recent Repeal and Re- enacted Bill of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria which seeks to regulate professional Medical practice in the country.
National President of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Professor Innocent Ujah and the Secretary General of the association, Dr. Philips Uche Ekpe in a statement jointly signed said that the re- enacted Bill SB.480 is a welcome development in the health sector to discourage quakery and promote ethical professionalism.
NMA said it wholeheartedly welcome the Bill because it is necessary to bring the regulation of the Medical and Dentistry in Nigeria up to date with the advancements and developments in healthcare nationally and internationally.
According to the statement, on Monday 1st February 2021 the Senate held a public hearing on the MDCN Bill SB. 4.89 seeks to repeal and re- enact the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act Cap M8 LFN 2004, which was enacted by December 23 of 1988 and announced by Decree 78 of 1992.
Meanwhile the association has accused the Joint Health Workers Union of Nigeria, JOHESU, the umbrella of allied health workers of malignant attitude, lack of knowledge and understanding of the Bill and the threat to strike over purely professional and parliamentary matters.
The Bill also makes it easier for the Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Disciplinary Tribunal to try cases of professional misconduct against doctors in a timelier manner. It also provide more realistic sanctions against doctors who are found guilty by the Disciplinary Tribunal as against when such cases linger for years due to the frequent dissolution of the Council and the Disciplinary Tribunal.
And when the Tribunal finds a doctor guilty of professional misconduct, the extant law does not permit it to suspend such a doctor for more than six months. while the next most severe sanction is erasure from the Medical Register.
The Passage of the Bill and assent will settle the unnecessary confusion, inter-professional acrimony and friction in the health sector, NMA stated.
The association condemned JOHESU’s outburst and apprehension over the provisions of the Bill, saying that it is out of ignorance and understanding.
“We believe that these feelings are misguided and emanate from a misunderstanding and ignorance of the purpose of the Bill among these professionals, and mischief by a few of their leaders who exploit the misunderstanding and ignorance among their members.”
“t I is surprising that anyone would claim that the Bill seeks to regulate any other healthcare professions.”
NMA said, “We invite JOHESU members to join forces with the Medical and Dental Practitioners to improve the health circumstances of our people rather than threatening to go on strike for the wrong reasons at any slightest flimsy excuses.”
