The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) have rejected the abrupt termination of the public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement between the NISA medical groups and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) at Garki Hospital.
In a communique signed by the FCT Chairman of NMA, Dr Enema Amodu, stated the NMA FCT totally and completely rejects the position of the FCTA on the abrupt termination of the public-private partnership arrangement between the NISA medical groups and federal capital territory administration, of Garki hospital.
Amodu explained that the move will lead to a sudden loss of jobs of close to a 1000 workers which include medical doctors, nurses and other workers that have over time contributed to the enviable and successful standard of health care provided by Garki Hospital, Abuja which has helped in maintaining the enviable health narrative in the FCT, amongst the committee of states within the country.
The Association also noted that this insensitive, unjust action will terminate the postgraduate medical training as well as internship programmes of doctors, pharmacists and nurses presently running in the institution and these programmes require a definitive period for proper completion and exit.
These accredited programmes supervised by members of the highly exalted postgraduate colleges of National, West African and other similar international bodies have been largely responsible for the high standard, ethical practice of the Garki Hospital, Abuja over the last 15 years of the concession.
“The NMA FCT Is watching keenly as this very unpleasant and unfortunate situation unfolds as it is the association sincere hope that the medical personnel (doctors, nurses, etc) as well as other non-clinical staff are given the opportunities to complete their training without interruptions, and also allowed to retain their jobs and offer their services under the new proposed authority.
“This is because, they are all collectively are responsible for the present success story of Garki hospital, Abuja; and as such, NO MAN SHOULD BE LEFT BEHIND.
The NMA FCT, therefore, proposes that the FCTA extends the period of disengagement of the NISA group from Garki hospital Abuja to allow a more effective, smooth and humane transition.
The NMA FCT commends the FG on the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine, as most people have even received the booster doses;
The Association also called on the Federal Government to pay attention it paid to COVID-19 to Lassa fever, cholera, malaria and other diseases which affect the lower class.
“However note with deep concern the less attention being paid to other infectious diseases such as Lassa fever, Cholera and even Malaria that affect more of the lower class of the society.
The association also decried the failure of the government in the payment of hazard allowance to medical doctors and other health workers.
The Association also condemned the frequent deaths among medical doctors, especially younger ones from preventable and avoidable circumstances.
“The NMA decries frequent deaths amongst medical doctors, especially younger ones from preventable and avoidable circumstances, persistent and perennial shortage of petrol and other petroleum products, lack of commencement of the payment of the hazard allowance to doctors, and other health workers.
“All health workers working in both federal and FCTA health facilities within the federal capital territory should be subjected to compulsory free annual basic medical checkups as part of their New year programme. This will go a long way to picking up serious ailments early to prevent untimely deaths.
“The NMA, FCT calls on FG and NNPC to do something lasting about the persistent, perennial fuel shortage. This situation has severely affected the practice and practises of medicine. Health workers, are now finding it increasingly difficult to get to their places of work, to discharge their duties, not to mention the adverse effects on the health sector.”