COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (NEC) AND THE ANNUAL GENERAL/SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE AND DELEGATES MEETING (AGSC/ADM) HELD AT BELLO KOFAR BAI STATE SECRETARIAT HALL, KATSINA FROM 28TH APRIL TO 2ND MAY 2025

PREAMBLE:

The National Executive Council Meeting and the Annual General/Scientific Conference and Delegates Meeting of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) was held at the Bello Kofar Bai State Secretariat Hall, Katsina from the 28th April to 2nd May 2025. The theme of the Conference was “The Universal Applicability of Care Standards for Patients and the Wellbeing of Healthcare Providers”.

The National Executive Council meeting was heralded by courtesy calls on the Executive Governor of Katsina State, His Excellency Mallam Dikko Umaru Radda PhD CON, the Emir of Katsina, His Royal Highness Abdulmumuni Kabir Usman CFR, the Emir of Daura, His Royal Highness Umar Faruk Umar CFR, the Hon Commissioner of Health Katsina State, Hon. Musa Adamu Funtua, the Chief Medical Director, Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina, Dr. Suleiman Bello Mohammed, the Medical Director of the National Obstetric Fistula Centre Babbar-Ruga, Dr. Sadiya Nasir, the Chief Executive Officer of MaxAir, Alhaji Dahiru Bara’u Mangal OON and the Katsina State Orphanage. At the orphanage, off the counter medications, educational materials and foodstuff for balanced nutrition were donated. The orphanage was officially adopted by the NMA for sustainable support around these three main areas. The Association also conducted medical and surgical outreaches across all three senatorial districts of Katsina State, including 100 free eye surgeries and medications at Katsina Eye Center (Katsina Zone), 2000 free consultations and medications at Kankia LGA (Daura Zone), and 100 free surgical procedures at Malumfashi LGA (Funtua Zone).

The Opening Ceremony of the AGSC/ADM under the distinguished Chairman of the Chief Judge of Katsina State, Justice Musa Danladi, was attended by several prominent Nigerians including the Executive Governor of Katsina State, His Excellency Mallam Dikko Umaru Radda PhD CON; the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by the Head of Service; the Deputy Governor of Katsina State, Hon. Faruk Lawal Jobe; the Honorable Minister of Health, Prof Muhammed Ali Pate CON, represented by the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina; Honorable Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Hon. Dr. Tanko Yusuf Sununu represented by Dr. Jubril Gwandu, the Honourable Commissioners of Health of Katsina and Kano States. 

The Keynote address was delivered by Emeritus Prof. Musa Muhammed Borodo, here he emphasized that Governments especially the Federal Government must lead the re-awakening in terms of reviewing the expired NSHDP 2018-2022 and urgently develop a new plan for the country. He also urged for salary harmonization for health workers across the country. The ceremony was also graced by Past Presidents of the Association, Past Secretaries-General of the Association as well as many State Chairmen and Secretaries from the 36 states and the FCT. 

The National Executive Council (NEC) meeting which followed the conclusion of the Opening Ceremony had in attendance State Chairmen from 36 states and the FCT, statutory and ad-hoc Committee Chairmen as well as medical doctors from over the country had engaging conversations. The President Dr. (Prof.) Bala Audu in his remarks welcomed members to the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting and appreciated members for their cooperation in the last one year of his administration. He further emphasized that NMA remains committed to ensuring that quality of care is improved across all the health systems and that the health system continues to improve remarkably to ensure quality healthcare services to the Nigerian populace. 

OBSERVATIONS:

1. NEC notes with appreciation the giant strides undertaken by the Governor of Katsina State especially in the health sector and urge him to continue to support the entrenchment of quality healthcare in the State.
2. NEC commends the gesture of the Kano State Government in supporting the Association building project in Abuja and appreciates the donation by His Excellency Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf.
3. NEC observes the implementation of improved remuneration packages for the doctors working with Abia State government and salutes the efforts of the governor, His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti CFR.
4. NEC appreciates the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno for finding three (3) members of the association deserving of being appointed into the State Executive Council as Commissioners. 
5. NEC observed with dismay the proposal on the National prescription policy that is currently being pushed forward citing sponsorship by a particular body with a potential to bias the recommendations.
6. NEC frowned at the constant and continuous casualization of appointment of Medical Doctors across various centres in the country and recognizes that it is a recipe for worsening the brain drain syndrome Nigeria is currently experiencing. 
7. NEC observed with concern the lack of universal applicability of the implementation of CONMESS and its consequential adjustment for doctors across the country and frowns at this as it violates the principle of equity that allows even distribution of doctors across the country. 
8. NEC notes the effort of the Ministry of Housing and Urban development in providing houses for the generality of Nigerians through an appropriate mortgage arrangement and urges the Ministry to prioritize the inclusion of medical doctors across the country.
9. NEC re-affirms that health insurance remains a viable way of ensuring that all cadres of Nigerians including medical doctors have access to quality and affordable healthcare services in Nigeria.
10. NEC notes with concern the re-emergence of security threats across the country which is causing worsening tension and aggravating the already hostile economic environment in the country. 
11. The ADM notes the lingering crisis in Kogi State and urges all parties to seek amicable resolutions and sue for long lasting peace.
12. The ADM observed the delay in the payment of the outstanding arrears of the consequential adjustment of CONMESS to doctors working in Federal Teaching Hospitals and notes that the delay in payment is causing increasing agitation amongst members nationwide. 

RESOLUTIONS:

1. NEC resolved its commitment to ensuring that the universal applicability of CONMESS to all cadres of doctors working across all sectors in Nigeria is implemented across board and will continue to advocate and lobby all relevant stakeholders to ensure it is done. 
2. NEC resolved to institute an award of recognition to the Executive Governor of Kano State, His Excellency, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, for displaying uncommon support to the Association towards its building project. 
3. NEC resolved that all doctors who are interested in doctors housing project should get their names across to the National Officers Committee through their State Chairmen who will then collate and transmit it to the Ministry of Housing and Urban development. NEC also encouraged State Chairmen to visit, inspect and familiarize themselves with the land across the various States.
4. NEC advised all State branches to encourage their members to subscribe for comprehensive health insurance that has favorable premiums. 
5. NEC unilaterally rejects the proposal on the National prescription policy and resolved to write a position paper on behalf of the Association on the policy to relevant stakeholders.
6. NEC advised Medical Directors of Hospitals and health centres nationwide to use all measures necessary to ensure that medical practitioners that are on locum appointment be offered permanent employment within the shortest possible time. 
7. NEC resolved to continue the processes for the establishment of a Medical University by the Nigerian Medical Association to advance the course of medical education in Nigeria. 
8. NEC resolved to seek alternative sources of funding for the completion of the NMA building and to also explore re-negotiation of the existing contract arrangement with the current developer. NEC advised the National Officers Committee to seek the modality of introducing share-holding to ownership of the building. 
9. NEC resolved to apply the provisions of Article 25, Section 8 to some members of the Association in Enugu State and Delta State who have taken the Nigerian Medical Association to court without recourse to the available internal dispute resolution mechanism of the Association. The affected doctors in Enugu State are Dr. Esther Ekwe, Dr. Sunday Okafor, Dr. Nwachukwu Ogbonna, Dr. Jude Onyia, Dr Onyebueze John Ugochukwu and Dr. (Prof.) Sam Ohaegbulam. The affected doctors in Delta State are Dr. Marcel Onochie, Dr. Samuel Agboma and Dr. John Afam Osemen.
10. ADM resolved that the National Officers Committee should continue to pursue the arrears of the consequential adjustment of CONMESS using the current method adopted and should re-appraise progress made at August NEC. 
11. The ADM resolved to award honors to Dr Jubril Aminu, Dr Ibrahim Wada and Dr. Akin Osibogun and posthumously to Late Dr. Dan Gana, Dr. Lawrence Kayode Obembe and Dr. Umaru Shehu. 
12. The ADM resolved that the National Officers Committee should pursue amicable settlement in Kogi State NMA branch in the dispute between affected members in Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja and the management of the Hospital.

APPRECIATION:

The Nigerian Medical Association expresses its sincere appreciation and is immensely grateful to the following personalities for various roles and support before, during and after the meeting:

1. The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.
2. The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; His Excellency Sen. Kashim Shettima GCON.
3. The Executive Governor of Katsina State, Mallam Dikko Umar Radda CON.
4. The Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf
5. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate.
6. The Honorable Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako.
7. The Honorable Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Hon. Dr Tanko Yusuf Sununu.
8. The Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr. Salma Anas.
9. The Royal Father of the day, the Emir of Katsina, His Royal Highness Abdulmumuni Kabir Usman CFR.
10. The Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Dr. Fatima Kyari.
11. The Ag. Registrar of the National Postgraduate Medical College, Dr. S.S Sule.
12. The Keynote Speaker and other sub-theme speakers

Special appreciation to the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee and the State Officers Committee led by the Chairman NMA Katsina State; Dr. Muhammadu Sani Abubakar, sponsors, volunteers and corporate Organizations who supported the hosting of the NEC and the AGSC/ADM. 

NMA congratulates the NMA Katsina for a hitch-free hosting. 

Signed

Dr. (Prof) Bala Audu                                                                                                    Dr. Benjamin Egbo

 President                                                                                                                          Secretary General