COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE NIGERIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (NMA) AT THE END OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (NEC) MEETING HELD AT ROCKVIEW HOTEL, ABUJA ON 9TH DECEMBER, 2006

1. The regular National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) held on Saturday 9th December, 2006 at the Rockview Hotel, Abuja with delegates from 35 State/Branches and Abuja in attendance.

The meeting was preceded by the 32nd Medic Africa International Medical Exhibition and Conference in partnership with FSG Communications, UK and a workshop on Child Survival Strategy in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation/UNICEF.

The Association reviewed and reaffirmed its commitment to measures aimed at ensuring the survival of Nigerian Children and is determined to work in conjunction with other partners and stakeholders to ensure this.

2. At the NEC meeting which followed these Continuing Medical Education Programmes, Various issues were discussed including:
A) The many attempts by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Nasir El-Rufai to provoke the Association and humiliate its members. These include: i) The premature retirement of leaders of one of our affiliate groups in Abuja even when they are young men in their thirties (30s). ii) Purported revocation of our land and destruction of its fence despite payment of all necessary fees. iii. Unguarded statement of Malam El-Rufai to the effect that consultants will no longer be paid call duty allowance from January, 2007. NEC hereby notes with deep regrets the ignorance of the Minister, Malam Nasir El-Rufai on the issue of Call Duty Allowance. Call Duty Allowance is money paid for extra hours of work done every day to treat emergences. NEC is particularly saddened because Malam El-Rufai’s immediate families have been beneficiaries of this life-saving Call Duties.

3. NEC hereby directs the National Officers Committee (NOC) of the Association to immediately declare a National Strike Action anytime Call Duty allowances is withdrawn from any category of Medical and Dental Practitioners by the Federal Government.

This is in defense of the poor Nigerians who benefits from these services.

4. Finally, NEC also calls on all politicians to eschew violence in the run up to the 2007 election and plead with INEC and the police to maintain neutrality in the election.

5. The Association will like to express its gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of the meeting.

Dr. Daniel Gana, mni President

Dr. Is’haq Abdul Secretary-General