NMA extends ultimatum to FG over reconstitution of council

The Nigerian Medical Association on Monday says it will extend the ultimatum given to the Federal Government to reconstitute the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria by two weeks.
The NMA President, Dr Francis Faduyile, in a statement in Lagos, said that the extension was to allow government to complete the process of its reconstitution, which, according to him, has reached an advanced stage.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that NMA had on September 7 issued a September 30 deadline for the government to reconstitute the board of the MDCN.
Faduyile said, however, that the association would not accept any further delay beyond October 14, 2018.
He said: “We wish to state unequivocally, that the dissolution of the MDCN has caused a lot of damages to medical practice in the country.
“The colossal damage brought about by the absence of the regulatory body is almost irreversible.
“Nigeria perhaps could be the only country that allows the practice of medicine to go on without regulation, even for one day.
“NMA further calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to direct that henceforth, the MDCN should never be dissolved, to safeguard the health of all Nigerians.”
The NMA President urged Nigerians to resolve to contribute their quota sacrificially toward nation building as the country celebrates her 58th independence.
He said that irrespective of the lapses and setbacks, there was still hope for a greater country.
Faduyile said: “I therefore urge all Nigerians to keep faith with the government and diligently contribute their quota to the change mantra of the present administration.
“Our religious and ethnic diversities should be a source of strength and unity rather than weakness and division.
“This is the time for all Nigerians to meditate on the present state of affairs in the country and resolve to contribute their quota sacrificially toward our nation’s building.”
According to him, efforts made to reposition the country has yet to bring desired results that will ease the sufferings of Nigerians.
He said that 58 years after independence, the country was yet to make an impressive mark, accounting for its low ranking in the Global Human Development and Health Indices.
He said: “We also observed that the country has never lacked effective recommendations to mitigate our crippling socio-economic, political and developmental woes.
“Rather, poor and lackluster implementation including absence of the needed political will, have been responsible for the uninspiring status of the nation in the global development circle.
“In particular, the failure to fully implement the National Health Act 2014, which we believe will guarantee Nigerians Universal Health Coverage.
“It is important to reiterate that UHC shall not only increase access to health care delivery but also make it affordable through the National Health Insurance Scheme.
“Also, with the Community Based Health Insurance Scheme as an integral component and will be complemented by the Basic Healthcare Provision fund and other sources of fund from luxury items and taxes.”