DOCTORS in Ekiti State under the aegis of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) have said they are ready for any emergency situation that might arise from the ongoing electioneering campaigns and Saturday’s in the state in a bid to further safeguard the life of the masses.
The chairman of NMA in the state, Dr Tunji Omotayo, who addressed newsmen in his maiden outing as the chairman of the association at the weekend, members of his association had been put on alert on the need to respond promptly to emergencies that might arise during the electioneering period.
Omotayo was elected at the annual general meeting of the NMA, on July 4th, along with Dr Tunji Olaoye emerged the Secretary, Dr. E.K. Ariyibi (Vice Chairman 1), Dr. Funmilayo Egbedi (Vice Chairman 2), Dr Tunji Ipinnimo (Assistant Secretary 1), Dr Bamidele Atiba( Assistant Secretary 2).
Others are Dr A.L. Oluwayemi (Treasurer), Dr Temitope Jolayemi (Financial Director), Dr Titilayo Adetoyinbo(Publicity Director), Dr Omoya (Ex-Officio 1) and Dr Kenneth Onyebuilo ( Ex-Officio 2).
The new Ekiti NMA boss counselled security agencies operating in the state to sustain the peace he said was being enjoyed by the citizens of the state before, during and after the Saturday’s July 14 governorship election.
The doctors commended the security agencies for maintaining peace and order in the state, saying this trend must be sustained for Ekiti to have a free, fair and credible poll on July 14.
Dr Omotayo also said whoever that succeeds Governor Ayodele Fayose to upgrade facilities in primary, secondary and tertiary hospitals in the state, to meet the mandate of improved healthcare delivery to the populace.
The doctors said for improved productivity in the health sector government must place high premium priority on the welfare of members and overhaul facilities in the state hospitals.
The NMA boss said the State may not get it right in the area of improved healthcare if the lives of patients are being committed into the hands of hungry medical practitioners.
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He said: “Doctors are ever ready to support the electoral process, though we are not politicians. If you saw what our members did when a prominent politician was shot recently, you would see that we have capable hands who can respond to the even critical situation.
“But it is dangerous to commit the lives of patients into the hands of hungry doctors. So, our welfare must be prioritised by payment of all our allowances and salaries as and when due.
“The government must also improve on medical facilities, by changing the obsolete ones. A medical expert without the proper tools is meaningless.
“And for doctors to be proficient, the government must do more for training and retraining of specialists for the public to have easy access to specialists in all fields without the need to travel outside of the state to seek care.”
Omotayo called for the strengthening of the value reorientation in all schools to curb the rampancy of drug abuse in Ekiti.
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