As part of ongoing consultative and reconciliatory engagements of the administration of the President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr. (Prof.) Afekhide Omoti, the National Officers Committee (NOC) recently held a series of strategic meetings with key affiliate associations and leaders within the Nigerian health sector at the National Secretariat on Benghazi Street, Abuja.
The engagements included courtesy visits and advocacy meetings with the leaderships of the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP), and the Committee of Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) of tertiary health institutions in Nigeria.
Leading the MDCAN delegation, the President, Prof. Apollos Chidi Ndukuba, congratulated the newly elected NOC and commended the reconciliatory steps already being undertaken by the NMA leadership. He encouraged the NOC to uphold justice, fairness, and constitutionalism while fostering an enabling environment for conflict resolution and genuine reconciliation within the Association.
Similarly, the leadership of NAGGMDP, led by its President, Dr. Anas Idris Shanono, congratulated the NOC and pledged full cooperation with the aspirations of the new leadership. The association also highlighted concerns regarding perceived disparities affecting some of its members in the implementation of certain special allowances within the revised CONMESS structure.
The NMA President, Dr. (Prof.) Afekhide Omoti, in his responses during the engagements, reaffirmed his commitment to an NMA guided by the Constitution, equity, and good conscience. He reiterated the guiding principle of his administration that “no doctor should be left behind” and pledged sustained efforts toward peace, inclusion, and fairness within the Association.
Prof. Omoti also hinted at plans to broaden and streamline the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiation framework to ensure wider stakeholder representation, including the inclusion of NAGGMDP leadership in remuneration negotiations within the health sector.
At a separate meeting with the leadership of the Committee of CMDs, led by the Chairman, Prof. Sa’ad Ahmed, discussions focused on strategic policies, infrastructural investments, and collaborative actions needed to strengthen healthcare delivery in Nigeria. The me
eting also extensively deliberated on the growing incidence of assaults on d
octors and other health workers by state and non-state actors, with the medical leaders brainstorming legislative and policy solutions to improve safety and security within hospital environments. The prospect of establishing a Ministerial Technical Steering Committee on personnel safety within public hospitals was also discussed.
The leaderships of the affiliate bodies and health institutions collectively expressed their readiness to work closely with the NMA leadership in advancing the welfare of doctors, strengthening the healthcare system, and promoting industrial harmony within the sector.
Signed,
Prof. Olayinka Atilola
National Publicity Secretary
Nigerian Medical Association
