Nigeria Physician Week 2013

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The 2013 Physicians week (Doctors and Dentists) was formally opened in Abuja, Nigeria to great exhilaration of all the participants. 

The Physicians week is an annual event when doctors and dentists, old and young, re-dedicate themselves to the ethos and ethics of our dear and noble profession.  This year is different because in addition to reading the modern Hippocratic oath (2nd WMA General Assembly 1948), the current NMA National Officers Committee & National Executive Committee under the most dynamic leadership of Dr Osahon Enabulele as President, decided to run the week with its own theme and sub-theme. 

Before now the Physicians week was run with t he Theme circulated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the World Health Day of the particular year. Furthermore thgis years Week actually started last friday with a visit by the NMA to the Abuja Central Mosques for Moslem prayers for Nigeria, on saturday the NMA visited the Abuja Orphanage in Karu, Abuja and the Prison inSuleja, Niger state. On the NMA worshiped on Sunday at a Christian Church, Christ The Kings Catholic Church, Kubwa, Abuja, also to pray for Nigeria. All these visitations were led by The NMA President accompanied by his National Officers Committee members (NOC), Elders and staff of the NMA. Both the children in the

Orphanage and the prison inmates received gifts and there was interaction with the visiting delegation.    

 

Particular mention must be made of what happened in the Prison: doctors in the delegation id bail fees for a number of persons who had been in detention for several months just because even though they were not convicted they could not go home because they had no money. Again that was Nigerian doctors doing what doctors are known for, often unannounced. Every day in health institutions across Nigeria doctors are quietly paying for patients to receive treatment (70-80% of Nigerians still live below $2 a day).

 

Today's event (Monday 28th October) marked the formal opening ceremony. The main lecture on the Theme ("Federalism and Nigeria's Healthcare System - An Appraisal of the Primary nd secondary Healthcare System") was delivered by Professor Eyitayo Lambo, former minister of health of Nigeria. A health economist who served in the WHO for 15 years, he delivered a very insightful and thought provoking lecture. He deservedly received  standing ovation. Participants agreed that only by strengthening Primary health care with a good effective referral system to the secondary and tertiary hospitals can Nigeria claim to have a good health system. At present such a system cannot be said to exist. Participants also agreed that without a mandatory health insurance system that covers all Nigerians, universal health care is not achievable.

 

At the formal opening was Professor C.O.Chukwu, Minister of Health; emeritus Professor Umaru Shehu, Chairman NMA Board of Trustees; HRH Dr Haleru Yahaya, Emir of Songa and many other elders and VIPs.

 

The subtheme ("Demystifying Sudden Death in Nigeria: developing legislation for regular health checkup in Nigeria") lecture was delivered by Professor of Cardiology, Professor A.O.Obasohan. His lecture was excellent and well received. participants agreed that at every NMA CPD/ CME event there should workshop on basic and advanced life support skills. The NMA Clinical Governance Committee and Healthy Lifestyle committee should work towards sustaining the promotion of regular check-up culture by all Nigerians. Sudden deaths can be reduced / eliminated by such a habit/culture. A Roundtable with buffet lunch followed the lecture and opening ceremony. At the round table their was frank talk and interaction between the NMA NOC, NEC members, Elders of the NMA and affiliate bodies.  As I write this the closing dinner is in session.

 

In conclusion, the rejuvenation, transformation, and energising of the Nigerian Medical Association continues apace in triumph. The patients and general public are the eventual beneficiaries of a new NMA . The health information and continuing education that doctors and dentists garner at all these events can only be beneficial for patients and practitioners alike ( Clinical Governance).

 

The rest of the week will see every state and the FCT carry out various activities across the country to mark the 2013 Physicians week in Nigeria. Long Live The NMA. Long Live Nigeria.