NMA laments poor state of healthcare system

 Medical practitioners under the auspices of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has condemned at the poorly regulated and weak healthcare system in the country.

 The condemnation was as a result of the video making the rounds on social media depicting complications from a surgery purportedly carried out at a government health facility recently.

The Kaduna state branch of the association stated that successive government failed to take appropriate action on similar allegations of quackery and negligence perpetuated by health professionals in both public and private health facilities in the state.

Chairman of the association, Dr. Madaki David Sheyin, in a press conference said the regulatory role of government has been weak, thereby allowing health professionals to carry out procedures well beyond the scope of their training and certification.

While addressing the press, Sheyin stated that there has been little or no punishment meted on erring personnel and facilities to serve as deterrent to others by government.

Meanwhile, NMA has advised government and other stakeholders at all levels to intensify sensitisation and education of the general public on patient’s right and the different composition of the health personnel in both private and public facilities.

In its eight-point recommendations, NMA opined that movement should immediately recruit human resource for health in adequate numbers and in the right skill mix, and implement the 2023 CONMESS salary scale to help attract the required number needed in the right skill mix.

The association further recommended that state and local governments should prioritise health and well-being of all citizens by ensuring a strong and robust healthcare system in the country.