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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).
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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