COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE EMERGENCY NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING OF THE NIGERIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (NMA) HELD AT PARKVIEW HOTEL, ABUJA ON 29TH MARCH, 2008

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) at its emergency National Executive Council Meeting met to review the state of the polity with particular reference to the health sector, the progress in the negotiation with the Federal Government on the need to improve the health of Nigerians and to review the preparations for its Annual General Meeting holding in Kaduna State in April.

1. The Association notes with deep regrets the recent development in the Federal Ministry of Health culminating in the resignation of Dr. Adenike Grange as the Honourable Minister of Health.

2. The Association also reviewed the worsening state of the health of Nigerians with our persistently high maternal and infant mortality, worsening life expectancy, increasing incidence of preventable diseases in our country, worsening environmental issue, collapse of our infrastructural system, worsening incidence of extreme hunger and poverty and the collapse of our primary Health care system which ordinarily should serve over 80% of our population and the brain drain crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa particularly in the Nigerian Health System.

After extensive deliberations and review of presently available data and statistics; The Association resolved as follows:

1. The Association hereby call on all Nigerians in position of authority to always act transparently and wish to restate once again our continued support for every legitimate action to fight corruption in Nigeria. NEC is pleased to note that no Medical Doctor (Civil Servant) was involved in the scam in the Federal Ministry of Health.

2. NEC acknowledges the integrity, sincerity and commitment to duty of Dr. Adenike Grange and notes her contributions to the care of millions of Nigerian Children. NEC further acknowledges her efforts in her short stay at the Federal Ministry of Health and regrets the circumstances of her exit. We look forward to her proving her innocence in this matter.

3. NEC once again call on all Governments in the Federation on the need to take positive and genuine actions to strengthen our primary health care system, enhance the access to Health Insurance for the population particularly the vulnerable groups, support health promotional activities like the protection of the environment and sanitation and take serious action on infrastructural developments particularly electricity and water supply. It is only through these, that we can achieve the MDGs and improve the health of our people.

4. NEC also wish to put the nation on notice of the unacceptable deliberately slow pace of negotiations with government on the implementation of the MSS/MSSS. NEC wish to inform Nigerians that this process re-started in January 2007 with little progress made thus far. NEC is disappointed that while many public workers are earning enhanced pay, many doctors continue to earn reduced pay. NEC calls on government to show urgent sincerity of purpose in the ongoing talks.

5. Finally, NEC hereby announce the 2008 Annual Delegate Meeting/General Conference (ADM/AGC) which comes up at Hamdala Hotel, Kaduna State from 24th – 27th April, 2008 with the theme – “Healthcare Delivery as an index of National Development” and the sub-themes “Emerging and Re-emerging Diseases” and “Medical tourism in Nigeria”.

Dr. Daniel Gana, mni President

Dr. Ibrahim Kana For Secretary-General