PHC key to reducing morbidity and mortality – Chukwu

He made this known at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, when he declared open the annual general meeting and scientific conference of the Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria (SOFPON).Chukwu said family physicians have the capacity to greatly improve Nigeria’s health indices and help in the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).He noted that […]

He made this known at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, when he declared open the annual general meeting and scientific conference of the Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria (SOFPON).
Chukwu said family physicians have the capacity to greatly improve Nigeria’s health indices and help in the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
He noted that the flexibility of family physicians allows them adapt to the specific needs of the communities they serve, as well as their changing epidemiological patterns and variations in available resources.
The minister observed that the declining indices such as maternal, infant and under-5 mortality rates have been achieved due to the assiduous work being carried out by health care professionals including primary healthcare physicians.
In his message, Hon. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu, House Committee Chairman on Health, who was represented by Nasiru Garba tasked health professionals in the country to be conscious of the fact that patients have  rights to seek redress in the law courts whenever they are dissatisfied with the levels of care and treatment offered by physicians.
He reminded the physicians that, “a physician can be investigated and disciplined by Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal established under the provisions of Section 15 of the Medical and Dental Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”
In his welcome address, Dr. Giyan  Ndom, Chief Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre, said the conference was designed to inform and equip family physicians towards handling medico-legal issues which are rapidly becoming a challenge to the noble practice of medicine in Nigeria as it is globally.
He said that the theme for this year’s SOFPON conference, “Medicine and the Law” together with the sub-theme, “Medico-Legal Aspects of Family Medicine”, is to train and re-orientate the frontline physicians towards health care delivery where the quality of life, the privileges and the rights of the patients are utmost.