Headlines
NMA raises alarm on doctors brain drain in health sector
Nasiru Yusuf
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kano State Chapter, has advised the Federal Government and other relevant authorities to address the worsening brain drain of medical doctors in Nigeria through reduction of examination fees.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Chairman of the chapter, Dr Usman Ali gave the advice at the opening of this Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the association in Kano.
He advised that relevant authorities, such as the Federal Ministry of Health and National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria should do everything within their power to minimize the brain drain by reducing examination fees at all levels.
“We advise the relevant authorities the Federal ministry of health, national postgraduate medical college of Nigeria to do all it could to reduce the current worsening brain drain in the country by bringing down examination fees at all levels,” he said.
Dr Ali further reminded the NMA members on the reported cases of monkey pox and the need to ensure necessary precautionary measures as WHO declared it global health emergency.
He stated: “I will like to use this medium to remind us that the monkey pox has also been reported in travelers from Nigeria to other parts of the world, as WHO declares Monkey pox as a global health emergency. We should ensure preventive measures.”
The Chairman also called on the Kano State Government to release the residency training allowances to doctors that are preparing for the forthcoming medical examinations.
According to the Chairman, the theme for this year’s AGM dwells on enhancing financial strength of their members considering the uncertainties, adding that “ the theme of the AGM is Financial Intelligence; A Gateway to Financial Independence. The choice of the theme is appropriate at this time full of uncertainties. This is followed with some scientific session.”
He said his tenure as the NMA Cahirman had consolidated on the success of his predecessors toward improving the welfare of their members in the State.
Describing his tenure in the last two years, the Chairman stated that: “We evolved novel ideas to improve the welfare of our doctors. We formed in addition to the existing ones, a revolving funds committee thereby giving a sense of belonging and responsibility to a wider scope of members spread across the length and breadth of Kano State. These committees have worked tireless to change the phase of the Association positively.”
Dr Ali who commended members of the association for their support and cooperation in leading the affairs of the NMA asserted that five of their members passed on during the period.
“I wish to at this junction express gratitude to your contributions as members of NMA Kano Branch. We have worked tirelessly to run the affairs of NMA Kano we built on the solid foundation of our predecessors and maintained constitutional and traditional obligations of the NMA to the glory of God Almighty for the grace to paddle the ship of the Association in the right direction.
“During this time however, we lost some of our colleagues – Dr. Abdulhamid Isah Dutse, Dr. Abdulmalik Abdulmumin, Dr. Nasiru Isma’il, Dr. Zulkiflu Ismail and Dr. Rabiu Alhassan. May their souls res in Jannatul Firdausi.”
The Chairman further clarified that NMA would not participate in the nationwide proposed protest by the NIgeria Labour Congress (NLC) but would support its affiliates that are affected by the lingering strike in the NIgeria’s public universities.
“We have three of our affiliates that are part of the university system. We have the Association of Medical Doctors in the Academia, those that are teaching clinical students and Medical and Dental Consultant Association of Nigeria as well as doctors that work in the University Health Services.
“We have been supporting them in one way or the other and we will continue to support them until the issue is resolved,” he noted.
The AGM, According to Dr Ali, commences on Monday and end on 30th July with election and swearing-in ceremony of new leadership of the NMA in the State.
We Won’t Participate In NLC Protest
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kano State chapter, has stated that it would not participate in the proposed nationwide protest by the Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC) slated for Tuesday and Wednesday to pressurize the government to accede to the demand of the university lecturers.
The chairman of the chapter, Dr Usman Ali, disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the association in Kano on Monday.
Usman Ali said although they are not happy with the industrial action in the universities that affect their affiliates in the academia NMA does not have plans to join the protest.
“We have three of our affiliates that are part of the university system. We have the Association of Medical Doctors in the Academia, those that are teaching clinical students, and the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria as well as doctors that work in the University Health Services.
“have been supporting them in one way or the other and we will continue to support them until the issue is resolved,” he noted.
He further called on the Federal Government and other relevant authorities to address the worsening brain drain of medical doctors in Nigeria.
Dr Ali advised that the relevant authorities such as the Federal Ministry of Health and National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria do everything within their power to minimize the brain drain by reducing examination fees at all levels.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has vowed to appeal the judgement of the governorship election tribunal which nullified his election and declared the APC candidate, Nasiru Yusuf Gawauna as the winner.
KANO FOCUS reports that Yusuf made the declaration on Wednesday night, while making a broadcast to the people of the state.
He said his legal team had been directed to appeal the judgement at the court of appeal in order to reclaim the mandate given to him by the people of the State.
He, therefore, Called on the good people of the state to remain calm and continue to be law abiding as security agents have been directed to ensure the safety of lives and property of the citizens.
“Let me assure you that the this government would continue to work for the development of the people of the state as the judgement will never dampen our spirit or discourage us from the good work we have started.” he said.
The Governor, who thanked the people of the state for their continued support and cooperation, urged them to go about with normal activities.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), on Tuesday, said that Kano State has recorded 5,800 suspected cases of Diphtheria from January to date.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Head, UNICEF Field Office, Kano, Mr Rahama Mohammned-Farah, stated this in Kano during a one-day media orientation on Diphtheria outbreak.
The UN Agency said the cases were recorded in 39 local government areas of the state.
According to him, Kano State has the highest number of recorded cases in the country, adding that Diphtheria was a highly contagious and infectious disease that could cause death.
Mohammned-Farah stressed that proactive measures were necessary to stem the outbreak.
“Recently, we have seen a surge in the number of reported Diphtheria cases in Nigeria, and Nigeria is currently facing an outbreak that needs to be stopped and prevented.
“As of July, Diphtheria cases have been on the rise. As of last week, over 400 suspected cases with 11 deaths have been reported in Kano.
“Out of the 39 LGAs affected, eight are the most affected, including Ungogo with 2,651 cases; Dala 989, Fagge 943, Gwale 714, Kumbotso 713, Nasarawa 538, Kano Municipal 506 and Tarauni 269,” he said.
He said that 60.8 per cent of the suspected cases had been reported in children not vaccinated, which reinforced the critical need to address the issue of zero doses, especially in Kano State.
“UNICEF delivered 1.2 million vaccines to the Kano State Government in our continuing support to the government response to Diphtheria outbreak.
“Diphtheria outbreak is a threat to child survival, health and the wellbeing of children. UNICEF is collaborating with government and partners to respond to the emergency to save the lives of children affected.
“In Kano state, UNICEF supported Tetanus-Diphtheria reactive vaccination campaigns in February, April and August, vaccinating 23,200 children in round one.
“While 277,796 children vaccinated in round two and 29,500 others in round-3 of the exercise.
“We engaged 150 traditional leaders on Diphtheria outbreak and distribution of Diphtheria IEC materials, and deployed 1,500 VCMs to the worst affected LGAs to conduct house-to-house sensitisations and referral of suspected cases to health facilities.
“Media has a key role to play particularly in infection prevention, and risk communication and community engagement,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr Muhammad Nasir-Mahmoud, the Director-General, Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board, said the state government had adopted drastic measures to curtail spread of the disease.
“We are committed towards educating the public about what is happening and the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has promised that Kano will be accorded priority in terms of vaccine distribution,” he said.
While describing the media as partners in the fight against Diphtheria, Nasir-Mahmoud urged them to support the campaign against the disease.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The Interparty Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC) has urged the judges of the Kano election petition tribunal court to discharge its duties with utmost integrity and impartiality.
KANO FOCUS reports that this was contained in a statement issued by the organization secretary Kano chapter Nuhu Idris on Tuesday.
IPAC also called upon the tribunal to consider each case diligently and ensure that all the parties involved are given equal opportunities to present their argument and evidence.
It could be recalled that the election tribunal has fixed Wednesday 20th September 2023 to deliver judgment on APC’s petition against Abba Kabir Yusuf.
A hearing notice issued by the Secretary of the election petition tribunal on Monday said the judgment would be delivered at 9.00 a.m., at the High Court of Miller Road in Kano.
Mr Idris said the organization has acknowledged the importance of the electoral process in a democratic society, where the voice and choice of the people are paramount.
He said the ongoing legal proceedings before the tribunal are a testament to the vibrancy of democracy and the resolve of citizens to seek redress through legal means.
“IPAC firmly believes that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done.
“We, Therefore, implore the tribunal to maintain transparency in its proceedings allowing the public and all concerned parties to have confidence in the outcome of the legal process, the statement said.
He added that it is essential that the tribunal’s decisions are guided by the rule of law and the facts presented, rather than any external influence.
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