Dr Ugbaja concern over increase in medical tourism abroad

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NMA LogoThe chapter chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association, (NMA) in Nnewi, Dr Joseph?Ugbaja has expressed deep concern over what they see as the steady increase in medical tourism abroad by Nigerians, especially those in authority who are in positions to change the situation.

Dr Ugbaja who is also a top executive at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital stated this during an interaction with journalists in Nnewi yesterday.

?He noted that the number of top Nigerians seeking medical attention abroad is about the highest in the world which according to him is a serious capital flight. He observed that countries ?like India and some other european countries where affluent Nigerians rush to for medical treatment can boast of right equipment, adequate training and conducive operational?environment for the health personnels a situation which he pointed out is not obtainable in the country.

He however stated that the development has nothing to do with the competence of doctors in the country who are obviously trying their best giving the current health environment where the sector gets less than seven percent of the nation’s annual budget inspite of its strategic importance and the general belief that health is wealth.

The deputy CMAC of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi while commenting on the current nation wide industrial action embarked upon by the doctors said that the strike is unfortunate but inevitable so as to put the health sector on the right pedestal as it is done in?other climes.

He stated categorically that the industrial dispute is a fall-out of many years of neglect of the sector by succesive administrations in the country which has interestingly led to a accumulation of issues

The NMA chairman made it abundantly clear that the issue of contention is the empowerment of the health sector and not necessarily remuneration and welfare of doctors. ” I just told you how our people who can afford it rush abroad to get medical treatment, why cant we?fix our health sector so that quality service can be rendered in the country. The doctors who are the chief custodians of the health sector can no longer fold their arms and watch the sector deteriorate to an abysmal level.”

Dr Ugbaja while pleading for understanding of what is responsible for the current industrial face off claimed that the NMA allowed a skeletal clinical activities in the hospitals to take care of emergencies and critical cases.

?The NMA boss assured Nigerians that the strike is a struggle in which all and sundry would benefit from once the right thing is done in the health sector. ” It is really sad that government keep signing Memorandum of understanding whenever there is a face off yet they have?not demonstrated the willingness to implement the agreements.”

The NMA chairman also accused the duty bearers of creating irregularities in the health sector by setting up structures that are alien to the system which according to him will only cause confusion in the hospitals. ” Other workers in the hospitals are very important but then the doctors are the chief custodians of the health sector because other functions are derived from their activities.”

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