Awka, Nigeria – Bemoaning the indiscriminate use of security agencies by families of patients, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Anambra Chapter, says it can no longer tolerate
the continued harassment of doctors practicing in the state.
It said its member have constantly been
intimidated, arrested and detained by families of patients who felt unsatisfied with services rendered, calling it a serious occupational hazard for practitioners in the state.
Dr Jane Ezeonu, chairman of the NMA, Anambra Chapter, indicated this on Wednesday in Awka while speaking ahead of the 2024 NMA Annual General Meeting (AGM), Scientific Conference and Election, scheduled for July 19.
The AGM would also feature the 5th Prof. Festus Aghagbo Nwako Memorial Lecture and Grand Reception for Dr Jide Onyekwelu, the immediate past national secretary of NMA.
Ezeonu, whose tenure ends with the AGM, said it had become necessary for the NMA and the Police hierarchy to dialogue on channels for seeking redress in line with provisions of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria Act.
She said although there would always be dissatisfaction, the public should be reminded that doctors always gave their best to save life in every situation in line with their hippocratic oath at induction into the profession irrespective of the outcome of a case.
Ezeonu, who said the NMA just secured the release of a doctor who was detained for 13 days, noted that the ugly development was one of the factors fuelling the brain drain phenomenon among health workers.
She said by their training and oath, no doctor sets out to harm patients and appealed to members of the public to stop taking laws into their own hand, adding that subjecting doctors to pressure and mental torture would affect their state of mind and ability to do their best negatively.
“A worrisome trend we observed during my tenure is indiscriminate arrest and detention of doctors by the Police on the instruction of families of patients who do not feel satisfied with services received.
“It is now an occupational hazard which also kills morale of doctors, imagine security men barging into a hospital facility to forcefully take away a doctor on duty, it is also a threat to healthcare delivery.
“In the past two years under my tenure, the NMA has had to secure bail for no fewer than three members who were illegally arrested and detained at the Police facility.
“NMA resolves to follow up on this case as events unfold, leverage on this experience to engender reforms that will strengthen the association, and further engage with the police and the public on the proper channels of seeking redress to ensure mutual respect,” she said.
On the AGM, Ezeonu said stakeholders will come together, celebrate achievements, share knowledge, and chart the course for the future of healthcare in Anambra.
“It will provide a platform for insightful discussions on topical medical issues, current economic challenges, and innovative solutions for the advancement of healthcare delivery in Anambra State.”
She said the theme of the conference is “Excellent, Resilient and Equitable Health Care System Amidst Economic Downturn”.
She said a keynote lecture would be delivered by Prof. Rowland Iheanyichukwu Osuji, the President Association of Paediatric Surgeons of Nigeria and Consultant Paediatric Surgeon with Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.
