The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Anambra State Chapter, has condemned continued harassment of doctors practising in the state by patients and their relations.
Dr Jane Ezeonu, Chairman of NMA, Anambra Chapter, made this known on Wednesday in Awka while speaking on the 2024 NMA Annual General Meeting (AGM), Scientific Conference and Election scheduled for July 19.
The AGM would also feature the Fifth Prof. Festus Aghagbo Nwako Memorial Lecture and Grand Reception for Dr Jide Onyekwelu, the immediate past National Secretary of NMA.
Ezeonu said that indiscriminate use of security agencies to intimidate, arrest and detain doctors by families of patients who felt dissatisfied with services rendered, had become a serious occupational hazard for doctors in the state.
The chairman 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 that although there might be dissatisfaction with medical services, the public should know that doctors always gave their best to save lives in line with their Hippocratic Oath at induction into the medical profession.
Ezeonu, who said the NMA just secured the release of a doctor retained for 13 days, added that such detention caused brain drain among doctors.
She said that by their training and oath, doctors would not harm patients.
The chairman appealed to members of the public to stop taking laws into their hands, saying that subjecting doctors to pressure and mental torture would negatively affect their abilities to do their best.
“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 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 a police facility,” she said.
On the AGM, Ezeonu said it would be a time for stakeholders to come together, celebrate achievements, share knowledge and chart the way forward for healthcare delivery in Anambra State.
She said that the theme for the conference would be “Excellent, Resilient and Equitable Health Care System Amidst Economic Downturn”.
She said that the 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.
“The conference 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. (NAN).
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