No fewer than 48 medical doctors were kidnapped in the country in the last two years, the president Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr Adedayo Faduyile has said.
Speaking in Akure, Ondo State at a news conference marking the 2019 Physicians’ Week, with the theme “Care of the Unknown Patient: An Overview” Faduyile said the theme was chosen to bring to light issues affecting Nigerians who found themselves in traumatic causes, especially road traffic accidents.
The NMA president said doctors in the country had been facing challenges like kidnapping in the line of duty, incessant harassment/assault by patients and their relations, unfortunate maltreatment by employers with poor salaries.
He said these challenges had contributed to doctors leaving the country.
“The Nigerian doctors decided to celebrate this year with the
theme based on the identified lacuna in the care of this category of
patients, especially in respect of policy framework.
“In the last one year, Nigerian doctors have had significant input
in the improvement of the health of the nation.
“In this regard, I appreciate all physicians who have been working
assiduously in ensuring that we collectively fulfill our key
responsibilities to the Nigerian state.
“It is worthy of note that all have not been well with Nigerian
doctors; the kidnapping of our members in the course of
discharging their duties to the Nigerian state with some still in
captivity.
“Despite the various challenges, Nigerian physicians have
continued to render desirable health care services, and we thank
God for another year.“I want to state that it is important to continue to strive to
improve ourselves for the betterment of the Nigerian populace,”
he said.
Faduyile thanked the Federal Government for releasing one per
cent of Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) part of which should be
channelled to treatment of emergency conditions.
“It is sad to note that the Federal Ministry of Health is yet to put
template in place for judicious use of the money.
“The NMA is perplexed that the Federal Ministry of Health is
concentrating on purchasing ambulances rather than rolling out
mechanisms that are all encompassing and would address all-the
critical aspects of emergency care services including proper and
adequate reimbursement of providers especially, at the level of
private health care facilities.
“The Nigerian Medical Association uses this opportunity to drum
support for the formulation of enduring policy for the care of the
unknown patients, and appeal to government at all levels to be
more responsive and responsible to the welfare of Nigerian
physicians.
“We are making selfless sacrifices to sustain healthcare delivery in
the country amidst various challenges including incessant
harassment, kidnapping in the line of duty, the abysmal
physicians to patients ration and rise in brain drain drought
mainly by the poor general working condition in the health
sector,” he said.
