The Federal Government has at last inaugurated the Governing Council for the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
There had been agitation over the failure of government to inaugurate the Council.
The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, inaugurated the Council on Friday in Abuja.
Adewole charged the Chairman and Members of the Council to work towards achieving the responsibilities bestowed on the Council.
The Minister said: “As you are aware, Governing Councils are creations of statutes and their responsibilities are to give policy direction, effective oversight and strategic guidance to the management of the institutions.
“I therefore wish to emphasis that government expects no less from this council.
“Your Council is critical to the achievement of developmental goals of government being implementing entities of the health sector.
“You are all enjoined to commit to achieving this mandate and to live above board.”
The Minister urged the Council to study and strictly adhere to the laid down laws that defined the roles and responsibilities of the council members.
Adewole said the Council should determine the standard of knowledge and skill to be attained by persons seeking to become members of the Medical and Dental profession and reviewing those standards from time to time as circumstance may permit.
The Minister explained that the Council shall review and prepare from time to time a statement as to the code of conduct, which the Council considers desirable for the practice of the professions in Nigeria, amongst others.
Adeweole said the mission of the Federal Ministry of Health was to ensure that the Nigerian populace had universal access to comprehensive, appropriate, affordable, efficient, equitable and quality essential health care through a strengthened health system.
He said: “I must inform you that our job is to a take our nation to a brighter future in spite of challenges that confront us.”
In his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Abdulaziz M. Abdullahi, called on Council members to see their appointment as a call to national service and which should be given full sense of responsibility.
Abdullahi also urged the members of the Governing Council to do everything possible to reduce professional rivalry in the sector.
Responding, the Chairman of the Council, Prof. Abba Hassan, Wazirin Mubi, on behalf of other members pledged to give their best in improving the Nigerian health system.
Hassan said: “Our principal task is to ensure high quality Medical and Dental training, curtail unethical Medical and Dental practice and stamp out quackery.”
He further called on patients affected by unethical practice to come forward and complain.