News
NMA Laments Poor Quality Of Some Foreign Trained Doctors
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) last Wednesday said the poor quality of some foreign trained medical practitioners could be responsible for high mortality in the nation’s health sector.
The President of the association, Mike Ogirima disclosed this at a news conference on the mass failure of some foreign medical graduates at the assessment examination conducted by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) in October.
Ogirima, who was represented by Dr Kingsley Enweremadu, the First Vice President of the association, expressed displeasure about the poor quality of services some of the foreign trained medical practitioners render.
He said 35 per cent of the 680 foreign doctors failed the assessment examination that would have qualified them to be registered as medical and dental practitioners fit and proper to work in the country.
He added: “The pass rate was 35 per cent. This sparked a wave of near violent protest from candidates and their parents, in addition to several media statements and petitions to the Senate and House of Representatives.”
He attributed part of the reasons for the poor performance to the quality of teaching and learning in some foreign institutions where some Nigerian citizens schooled.
He said: “We are worried about the quality of services some of these foreign trained medical practitioners render, hence, the need for proper evaluation before registering them to practise here.
“In many of these countries, medical graduates are produced only for export as they are not registered there.
“We wonder why this would be so, why a cook would refuse to taste the food she or he cooked for others to eat.
“It is true there is acute shortage of human resources in the country’s health sector, with poor doctor/patient ratio.
“However, NMA feels that sacrificing quality for number is suicidal and all of us stand to be victims in the hands of these poorly trained medical personnel.”
Ogirima, however, expressed the commitment of the association to collaborate with MDCN to sanitise and improve the quality of medical and dental practice in the country.
He called for immediate reconstitution of the MDCN, to enable it function effectively, describing it as the only sure way to guarantee quality healthcare delivery in the country.
“We will resist any attempt from any quarter to dilute standard of medical education, training and practice in our country,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that news conference was jointly organised by NMA, Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) and the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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