Rivers State Branch of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, says “the Ring-Road network will facilitate easy access to health facility especially in cases of referrals from primary to secondary or tertiary health facilities thereby reducing mortality and morbidity in the State.”
Speaking at a Press Conference to mark the commencement of the Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Association that began yesterday August 13th and billed to end on August 19th, Dr. Ebbi Robinson, the Rivers NMA Chairman, while commending the State Government for giving attention to infrastructural development, decried the poor state of infrastructure across most states in the Country that had led to the unfortunate death of the young female medical doctor, Dr. Diaso Vwaere.
He said the “sad occurrence is a true reflection of the degree of infrastructural decay in our nation and lack of political will in funding the health sector as well as poor administration. Amidst the brain drain, poor remuneration, a very young and vibrant doctor has been lost”
A copy of the Press Statement read:
PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE NIGERIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (NMA) RIVERS STATE BRANCH TO MARK THE 63RD ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE HOLDING FROM THE 13TH TO 19TH AUGUST 2023 AT THE NMA HOUSE
Protocol
The Past Chairmen of NMA Rivers State, Medical elders, Senior colleagues and colleagues, Ladies and gentlemen of the press, Ladies and gentlemen and the good people of Rivers State.
Warm greetings from the Nigerian Medical Association, Rivers State Branch. It is my singular honour and privilege to welcome you all to this press conference.
Firstly let me join other state NMA branches to condemn the sudden death of late Dr. Diaso Vwaere a young medical doctor with the Health Service Commission whose sudden death occurred on the 1st of August 2023 at the General Hospital Lagos Island as a result of injuries sustained when the elevator she boarded crashed.
On behalf of the SOC and SEC of NMA Rivers State we send our sincere condolences to her immediate family, colleagues, Medical guild and all doctors in Lagos state.
This sad occurrence is a true reflection of the degree of infrastructural decay in our nation and lack of political will in funding the health sector as well as poor administration. Amidst the brain drain, poor remuneration, a very young and vibrant doctor has been lost.
Let me use this opportunity to appreciate the Governor and Government of Rivers State for the infrastructural development in Rivers State and the recently commissioned Port Harcourt ring road.
To the health sector the Ring-Road network will facilitate easy access to health facility especially in cases of referrals from primary to secondary or tertiary health facilities thereby reducing mortality and morbidity in the State.
The Annual General Meeting is the largest gathering of doctors in pursuance of scientific advancement, innovations and the annual evaluation of the entire healthcare delivery system in the State.
This year’s activity is scheduled from the 13th to the 19th of August 2023. The one week long activities of the Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference has begun with a thanksgiving service at the Amazing Grace Parish of The Redeemed Christian Church Of God.
The week’s activity shall feature among others a symposium/colloquium, sports and free medical and surgical outreach as part of our corporate social responsibility. The theme of this year’s AGM discourse is Litigation in Medical Practice; An emerging trend and the sub-themes being curbing domestic violence; the role of the doctor and Rule of law; medical practice and abuse of doctor’s right shall be discussed by erudite scholars.
In the last one year of our administration, NMA Rivers State has engaged stakeholders, championed better welfare for her members and created the platform for inter-professional collaborations. We gave support to flood victims, and also donated aids to those living with disability.
The NMA leadership also launched our fully functional electronic library (e-library) project, supported our members to stand against abuse and during this AGM we shall unveil our equipped games and wellness centre.
Let me immensely thank all members of this noble profession for your support in the past one year. These are very challenging times as the profession is encumbered with poor remuneration, human capital flight, insecurity, brain drain, electricity tariff hike, multiple taxations and the recent removal of fuel subsidy.
Issue on the payment of hazard allowances, skipping and the newly approved CONMESS salary structure are still glaring on our faces awaiting government approval and implementation.
To our sister professions, distinguished guest, friends of NMA, ladies and gentlemen of the press, I thank you all for coming. I hope to see you all in each of the activities. Thank you and God bless you all Long live NMA Long live Rivers State Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Dr. Ebbi D. Robinson MBBS, FWACS, FICS Chairman, NMA Rivers State 14th August, 2023
Dr Hope Avundaa MPH, MSc (Radiation/ Medical Physics), Secretary, NMA RS
