National Wire About Nigerians, Nigerian Business and Other Stories
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells
Bayelsa state branch of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA recently held their 23rd annual General meeting and scientific conference.
The week-long event which begun penultimate Monday with a road show and inter-medical infrastructural soccer competition was wrapped up with thanks giving Sunday at the St. Matthias Catholic Church, Amarata after a dinner Saturday.
Speaking on the theme:”Nigeria’s health manpower crisis: prospects and way forward for Bayelsa State.” Keynote Speaker, the vice Chancellor of the Niger Delta University, NDU, professor Samuel Edoumiekumo described Doctors as extra ordinary professionals, noting that though the State has deficit of medical practitioners the few plying their profession in the State overtime had had course to put in their best.
The Don asserted that following the shortage of physicians and other medical practitioners in the state the aftermate effect has been patronage of quackery by clients, especially in the hinterlands where there is dearth of medical facilities and professionals.
Edoumiekumo charged the Nigerian medical association to develop their professional practice with innovations just as he called on them to carry out bloodless surgeries, saying current research by surgeons has it that bloodless surgeries can be performed.
Also speaking on the sub-theme, “quality medical education in the SDGs era: imperatives for Bayelsa State” guest lecturer, professor Uche Onwudiegwu of the Bayelsa Medical University, BMU said there is need medical professionals undergo regular medical education so as to be in line with global best practices and trends.
The professor of obstetrics and gynaecology emphasized that following innovations in medical education and practice trends in the curriculum for medical education has changed in some climes, stressing that the medical profession in Nigeria is also undergoing the processes of innovations and global standards.
Meanwhile the chairman, Bayelsa State branch of the NMA, Dr. Peter Alabrah has called on the state government to beef up security in the state to curb kidnapping and other criminalities.
Alabrah made the call in his welcome address during the 23rd scientific conference and annual general meeting of NMA, reiterating the commitment of the medical association to vigorously pursue the completion of the NMA secretariat project.
He also pleaded with government to carry out proper placement of Doctors in the state employ just as he urged government to give facelift and overhaul of the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, NDUTH for adequate medical education and Medicare, saying the facility is the first and apex medical institution owned by the state.
