Abuja – The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on Monday announced plan to embark on an indefinite strike, starting from Tuesday, July 1.
The NMA President, Dr Kayode Obembe, who made the announcement at a news conference in Abuja, said that the decision followed the expiration of a two-week ultimatum it gave the Federal Government to meet its 24-point demand.
Obembe, said the opted for a “total and indefinite strike” at an emergency delegates meeting held on June 28, after negotiations with the federal government failed to yield relevant results.
“The NMA is taking this painful route because our silence and gentle approach to these contending issues have been taken for granted.
“We have to take this action in order to save the health care delivery system from anarchy that is palpably imminent.”
He appealed for understanding, and called on Nigerians to prevail on the government to meet the demands.
The NMA president read out an open letter addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in which the association listed the 24 ssues it wanted the government to address.
The letter, entitled, “Minimum End Point for Restoration of Sustainable Sanity in Patient Care in Nigerian Hospitals’’, was jointly signed by Obembe, NMA Secretary-General, Dr Adewumi Alayaki and all heads of its affiliate bodies.
Some of the major issues include reserving the position of chief medical director to only medical doctors, appointment of Surgeon General of the Federation, passage of National Health Bill and providing security for doctors.
The NMA also wants “increase in duty, hazard and specialist allowances, as well as budget for residency training programme”.
It called for the reintegration of its members into the IPPIS platform, and reserving the title of consultants to only medical doctors, among others.
/NAN
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Consultants and Chief Medical Officers in other Government Hospitals in the Developed World (International best practices/standards).
We do not need to travel far and wide to know what is happening in other parts of the world because the world has become a global village, all thanks to information technology.
The conflict in Nigeria health sector has tugged me to search for what is obtainable on the key warring issues in other developed countries. Ideally the Nigeria Health system format is supposed to be compared with that of the Britain(not the American’s) since Nigeria adopted and is using the British educational/health systems; however reference has been made on American health system in this write up, for obvious reason. I deliberately sourced for all information from current and popular international encyclopedia and/or professional websites not hosted by medical doctors.
Medical/hospital Consultant
The term or title “consultant” is coined from consultation. It is wise to see the standard definitions of medical consultation; which are:
Medical consultation is a formal meeting with a medical doctor for discussion or the seeking of advice….{ http://www.en.m.wikipedia.org/consultation(medical)}.
It is also defined as a procedure whereby, on request by one Physician, another Physician reviews a patient’s medical history, examines the patient and makes recommendation as to care and treatment….. ( http://www.medical dictionary.freedictionary.com/medical consultation).
In the UK, Republic of Ireland and parts of the commonwealth countries Medical Consultant is the title of a senior hospital-based physician or surgeon who has completed all of his/her specialist training….. {www. en.m.wikipedia.org/consultant (medicine) , http://www.medical dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/consultant(medicine), http://www.gapmedics.co.uk/difference between consultant and a doctor in a hospital }
Consultant Pharmacist
In America Pharmacists are broadly grouped into two:
1. Health system pharmacist
2. Consultant pharmacist
The health system pharmacist is hospital-based pharmacist that provides care to patient on healthcare team. They undergo residency training but are not awarded the title of consultant….(www.asph.org).
Consultant Pharmacists are pharmacist that work as private pharmacist for individual elderly persons or is employed to work in old people homes(institute) to enhance quality of care for all old persons. They are non-hospital staff and do not undergo residency training but write preparation/recertification examinations. They are also called senior care pharmacist… (www.ascp.com).
In USA Consultant Nurse is a registered nurse who uses expertise as a healthcare provider and specialized training to consult on medical related legal case. They assist attorneys in reading medical records and understanding medical terminology and healthcare issues to achieve the best results for their client. They are non-hospital staff….( http://www.en.m.wikipedia.org/nurse consultant)
Chief Medical Director (Office)
This title is used in many countries for the senior government official designated as head of medical services, usually at the national level. He advices and leads a team of medical experts on matters of importance. { http://www.en.m.wikipedia.org/chief medical officer, medical dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/chief medical officer, http://www.ehow.com/chief medical officer, www. gov.uk/government/people/sally-davies}
Surgeon General
In the United States and many areas of the British Commonwealth, this title refers to a physician commissioned by government and entrusted with the public health responsibilities.
In Uk Surgeon General is the senior medical officer of the British Armed Forces… ( http://www.en.m.wikipedia/surgeon general UK/USA).
Hospital Chief Executive Officer is the highest management position within a hospital in the capitalist countries. He or she is expected to have masters in business Administration, masters in healthcare Administration etc….( in Nigeria such a position is designated as Director of Administration in Teaching Hospitals)……www.degreetree.com/how to become a hospital ceo.
Health Care Professionals are divided into two broad groups:
1. Core Healthcare Professionals
2. Support (Allied) Healthcare Professionals
The core professionals are doctors, nurses and pharmacists….others, except these three, are allied professionals…… (www.wikipedia.org/allied health professions)