Onitsha, Nigeria – The Anambra Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has elected a new Chairman, Dr. Princeston Okam.
Okam, a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, succeeds Dr. Jane Ezeonu, the first female chairman of the Association.
In the election held in Onitsha on Saturday, the following officers were also elected.
Dr Ndubisi Arua (Vice Chairman), Dr Ifeanyi Obieli (Secretary), Dr J.P. Okoyeocha (Assistant Secretary), Dr Ifechukwu Uzoma (Treasurer), Dr Chinedu Olisa (Financal Secretary), Dr Ahoma Mbanuzuru (Publicity Secretary), and Dr Nonye Ezeonyejiaku (Social Secretary).
In his acceptance speech, the newly-elected chairman, Okam, promised to make welfare and protection of members the priority of his administration.
Okam later told journalists in Awka on Sunday that he would run a united, vibrant and all inclusive administration.
He described his emergence as a victory for Anambra NMA, and that he would ensure that every member, including his co-contestant, was brought on board.
“The election brought the best out of us. Now that it is over, we must work together to achieve our common goals,” he said.
Okam said his team would work to ensure that packages of members as stipulated in NMA rules and regulations were accorded them.
He said the NMA would interface with the Anambra government to evolve a reviewed and improved salary structure for doctors employed by State as well as harmonise taxes payable by private practitioners.
Okam said he hoped to set up NMA Anambra Co-operative Society where pooled funds could be assessed by members in need at a low interest rate.
“We intend to liaise with the state government to ensure that our colleagues at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital get their reviewed CONMESS, hazard allowance, residency training fund and other benefits.
“We will also pursue a renegotiated tax to ease the burden of tax and tackle the problem of harassment by government agencies arising from non clarity in the taxes our members in private practice are supposed to pay, it is important that we determine that,” he said.
Okam, who appreciated his colleagues for their confidence in him, promised to operate an effective, responsive and accountable Secretariat while expressing hope that the State NMA permanent site would take off during his tenure.
Okam said the NMA would combat quackery within the practice and ensure that all hospitals in the state were properly indexed, noting that the association would collaborate with the Anambra government to achieve the objective.
According to him, “we shall set up a rapid response team which will, with the Chairman, address challenges involving members including acts of violence against doctors by patients or their
relatives.
