Adhere to professional ethics, medical practitioners advised

Medical practitioners in the country particularly medical doctors have been advised to ensure strict adherence to professional ethics in the performance of their functions in order to save the lives of their clients.

The advice was given by head of obstetrics and gynaecology, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, Professor Calvin Chama while presenting a paper during the 2019 AGM of Bauchi State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on Saturday stressing that it is only by so doing that the patients will have confidence of patronage of the health facility.

Calvin Chama who pointed out that the doctors also need to know what are their rights in the performance of their professional duties stressed that one should not override the other because according to him the two are interwoven.

The consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist said that it is when a doctor cannot differentiate between the two rights that conflict usually occurs which may eventually lead to dire consequences on both sides.

In the paper titled, ‘Knowing Your Rights As a Doctor: A Call for adherence to the Code of Medical Ethics’ Calvin Chama stressed the need for every Medical Doctor to put his patients first by protecting his rights through adherence to the medical ethics.

In his opening remarks,  Chief Medical Director of ATBUTH, Dr Mohammed Alkali stressed the need for members of the Association to always live above board in the performance of their professional duties because according to him the patient has confidence that the moment he/she gets to the health facility his/her issues will be treated positively.

Mohammed Alkali added that when such confidence is betrayed the patient will be disappointed and discouraged from further seeking of medical attention which will not speak well of the profession.

He then stressed the need for all health practitioners to work in synergy in order to achieve the objective of the medical profession.

While speaking, Bauchi State chapter Chairman of NMA, Dr Lamara Dattijo said that the 2019 AGM is aimed at awakening the members on the need to be professionals in the performance of their calls in order to save lives.

The NMA Chairman added that the chapter will always take a cue from older professionals who have excellent records while in practice stressing that the upcoming members will have to tap on their excellent ideas to succeed.

Lamara Dattijo, however, cautioned his members not to play with the information given to them by clients in secret because according to him that is contrary to the ethics of the medical profession which is as old as human existence itself.

He then assured that his members will continue to adhere to the ethics of the medical profession as well as protect the rights of the patients no matter the situation.