NMA decries ‘shoddy’ placement of house officers

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) yesterday expressed concern over the implementation of the centralized placement of house officers across health facilities and institutions in the country.

NMA President, Prof. Innocent Ujah, who addressed reporters in Abuja on the outcomes of the recent annual general conference and delegates meeting of the association held in Jos, said: “The conference was worried about the shoddy implementation of the centralized placement of the House Officers and resolved that NMA would not spare any efforts at ensuring speedy and less complications in its implementation of this commendable policy”.

The Federal Government had earlier charged the

Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria with the posting, placement and payment of house officer’s emoluments effective from January this year.

The responsibility was hitherto carried out by federal teaching hospitals, federal medical centres and other accredited health institutions.

Ujah also said the conference was concerned about the burden of infectious diseases, emerging infections, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the ticking time bomb of noncommunicable diseases.

He urged the Federal Government to mobilise state governments for the needed political will, financial resources, partnerships and other requirements to restructure their emergency plans, preparedness and response to epidemics and pandemics.