NMA decries poor state of health sector, inflammatory political statements

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has expressed concern over the  country’s poor  health system due to  under funding and   poor service delivery as a result of   lack of political will to implement extant laws, regulations and policies. The NMA stated this in a statement jointly signed Dr. Francis A. Faduyile and Dr. Olumutiwa P. Odusote, […]

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has expressed concern over the  country’s poor  health system due to  under funding and   poor service delivery as a result of   lack of political will to implement extant laws, regulations and policies.

The NMA stated this in a statement jointly signed Dr. Francis A. Faduyile and Dr. Olumutiwa P. Odusote, president    and secretary general  respectively, issued  yesterday.

The association said the worsening situation of the health sector has  escalated emigration of medical and health workers.

It also expressed worry over what it termed “inflammatory statements by top ranking political leaders” which have the real potentials of incensing partisan conflicts which could degenerate into communal clashes and attendant mass casualties.

It said, “NMA as a foremost professional association and the custodian of the health of the Nigerian people sees this as a patriotic duty to call politicians and some state operatives to order.

“The association encourages the spirit of politics without rancour and bitterness and one that is strictly based on constructive engagements, factual debates and constitutionality. If by acts of omission or commission the nation is thrown into serious political chaos, the poor and vulnerable, including women and children will bear the greatest brunt.”

It, therefore, called on politicians and political parties to play by the rules while urging law enforcement agents to be stringent in dealing with defaulters.

“We  advise Nigerians to be law abiding and resist the luring of politicians in being used as ready tools of the devil to destroy human lives and property in the name of political support and loyalty to politicians.”