NMA, NANNAM move to restore professional harmony in health sector

By Chika Onyesi

The Nigerian Medical Association and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives have continued to explore options to resolve the long standing rivalry among professional bodies in the health sector.

In a recent move to achieve this, both associations established an inter-professional harmony committee to investigate the strained relationship between doctors and nurses and develop viable solutions to end the crisis.

According to the NMA President, Dr. Francis Faduyile, the move is aimed ensuring a patient centered health care system devoid of rancour and conflict among healthcare professionals.

  ‘‘The committee was set up to come up with recommendations that would end rivalry in the health sector for the benefit of Nigerians says Dr. Faduyile’’

The committees terms of reference include identifying the root cause of inter professional disharmony in the health system, proffer actionable solutions to identified issues and suggest any other means of improving nurse/doctor relationship.

In a brief ceremony to present its recommendations to the NMA and NANNM, Chairman of the inter-professional harmony committee, Dr. Solomon Avidime said he was satisfied with the cooperation of both bodies and the level of work done by his team.

  ‘‘We concluded our investigations in record time and we have developed some strategies that will put an end to the health sector crisis. Nigerians should expect better patients centered healthcare system without acrimony, i am convinced the report would achieve its aim.’’ Dr. Avidime said.

The NMA president while receiving the recommendations said the report was a product of the desire for peaceful coexistence among health professionals.

 “I am happy that that committee has been able to come out with some recommendations and they have been able to conclude the terms of reference given to them. And that shows that the interest of Nigerians is paramount in both the membership of the Nigerian nurses as well as the Nigerian Medical and Dental Practioners. I am delighted by the support that we have by our sister association, the nurses. I am very positive that very soon all the disharmony, the rivalry and all the hiccups that we are seeing in the health sector would be a thing of the past,” Said Dr. Faduyile.

Meanwhile the President of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Mr, Abdulrafiu Adeniji, called for commitment from both associations for a successful implementation of the report after due  consultations.

  “I believe this sitting would go a long way to clear certain erroneous believes. If this is how tranquil and harmonious doctors, nurses and other health workers can actually work in the hospital, then medical tourism will be a thing of the past.” he said

For now the professional bodies plan to consult relevant government agencies and other health professional bodies for a review and adoption of the committee’s recommendations.