The Nigeria Medical Association, Federal Capital Territory Chapter has kicked against the sudden termination of the Public Private Partnership agreement with the Garki hospital in Abuja.
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The Chairman of NMA FCT Dr. Enema Amodu expressed the displeasure at a Joint Press Conference of the NMA FCT and the Nigerian Bar Association Abuja over the abrupt termination of the PPP agreement between the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCT and Nisa medical group, in Abuja.
He said that he was worried about the welfare of its members as it bothers on the jobs, rights of the doctors and others in Garki hospital.
He also said that at the 2ND Quarter ordinary general meeting of the Nigerian medical association, FCT decried the abrupt termination of the public private partnership agreement of Garki hospital, Abuja by the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
“On the abrupt termination of the public private partnership arrangement between the NISA medical groups and federal capital territory administration of Garki hospital , the NMA FCT totally and completely rejects the position of the FCTA.
This move will lead to a sudden loss of jobs of close to a 1000 workers which include medical doctors, nurses and other workers that have over time contributed to the enviable and successful standard of healthcare provided by Garki Hospital, Abuja which has helped in maintaining the enviable health narrative in the FCT , amongst the committee of states within the country.
The NMA FCT also notes that this insensitive, unjust action will terminate the postgraduate medical training as well as internship programmes of doctors, pharmacists and nurses presently running in the institution. These programmes require a definitive period for proper completion and exit.
These accredited programmes supervised by members of the highly exalted postgraduate colleges of National, West African and other similar international bodies have been largely responsible for the high standard, ethical practice of the Garki Hospital , Abuja over the last 15 years of concession. The NMA FCT Is watching keenly as this very unpleasant and unfortunate situation unfolds “. Dr. Amodu said.
The association said that it sincerely hopes that the medical personnel (doctors, nurses, etc) as well as other non-clinical staff are given the opportunities to complete their training without interruptions, and also allowed to retain their jobs and offer their services under the new proposed authority.
“This is because, they are all collectively responsible for the present success story of Garki hospital, Abuja; and as such NO MAN SHOULD BE LEFT BEHIND.
The Chairman said that the meeting also resolved that “All health workers working in both federal and FCTA health facilities within the federal capital territory should be subjected to compulsory free annual basic medical checkups as part of their New year programme. This will go a long way to picking up serious ailments early to prevent untimely deaths.
The NMA, FCT also called on the federal government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to do something lasting about the persistent, perennial fuel shortage.
” This situation has severely affected the practice and practice of medicine. Health workers are now finding it increasingly difficult to get to their places of work, to discharge their duties, not to mention the adverse effects on the health sector.
The NMA FCT therefore proposes that the FCTA extends the period of disengagement of the NISA group from Garki hospital Abuja to allow a more effective, smooth and humane transition.
“The NMA FCT has noticed the irregular and haphazard spate of posting of the house-officers by the medical and dental council, and wish to express her displeasure. The statutory period of houseman ship for fresh graduates of medical school is sacrosanct; therefore, this process should be better organized to achieve a seamless transition and placement of these medical doctors. The present situation is unacceptable, and falls far below expectations of the desired goal. The NMA FCT observes with regret that a bigger problem has been created with this central posting, and recommends that until it is perfected that the Federal Ministry of health revert back to the previous state of allowing institutions to recruit and pay these doctors to forestall the unnecessary bottle-necks presently being experienced“. Dr Amodu stressed.
He said that the highlights of the meeting were:
Frequents deaths amongst medical doctors especially younger ones from preventable and avoidable circumstances.
Persistent and perennial shortage of petrol and other petroleum products.
Lack of commencement of the payment of the hazard allowance to doctors, and other health workers.
Abrupt termination of the public private partnership agreement of Garki hospital, Abuja by the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
Infrequent and poorly organized central postings of the newly qualified medical doctors otherwise called house officers, for the statutory 12-month houseman ship programme.
Adding that the NMA FCT also recommends the universal applicability of the the proposed new hazard allowance to every medical doctor, health worker irrespective of their points of duties.
The Chairman Nigeria Bar Association Abuja and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Moses Ebute, said that the abrupt termination of the fifteen year lease was wrong.
” What concerns us is the word abrupt termination. If it’s abrupt, it means before the due date for the termination of the lease period. On the side of law, even if it has terminated, I don’t think one month is a reasonable notice for a facility of that nature“. Mr. Ebute said.
He emphasized that one month’s notice is not tenable.
The Senior advocate also advised the Federal Capital Territory Administration to desist from using “self help” in dealing with the matter.
It should be recalled that the FCDA had given the Nisa group one month to vacate the Garki hospital, thereby terminating a fifteen year old Public Private Partnership agreement reached between the two bodies.
A visit to the hospital however revealed that medical activities were not disrupted.
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