The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Abia State Branch, on Wednesday dismissed allegations that it sort the assistance of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to intervene in the payment of 18months salary arrears owed Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) staff.
Recall that an online newspaper known as News Mirror had on January 5th, 2021 published a news report titled “ABSUTH TURN TO SENATOR KALU FOR INTERVENTION OVER 18 MONTHS UNPAID SALARIES, OTHERS”.
Reacting to the erroneous report, the NMA Abia State Branch in a press statement made available to Newsmen and signed by its Chairman, Dr Chimezie Godswill Okwuonu
and Secretary, Dr Robinson Uchenna Ugwuanyi, distanced itself from the news report and the misrepresentation it portrayed.
The statement stated that the NMA is a professional association and not the spokesperson of ABSUTH, therefore could not have spoken on behalf of ABSUTH management as wrongly misrepresented in the publication.
The statement further emphasised that NMA is professional body with a clear mission to build a sustainable professional association of medical and dental practitioners,noting that the association is focused on advancing the delivery of qualitative healthcare services delivery through continuing professional development, advocacy, policy development, knowledge management, and public education.
The statement disclosed that it is customary for the NMA to pay courtesy visits to political office holders and stakeholders at national and state levels adding that the association had recently embarked on such visits to the DSS, Commissioner of Health, Commissioner of Information, Commissioner of Police, Secretary to the State Government, the Wife of the State Governor and Abia State Governor.
It further stated: “On 24th November, the President of NMA, Prof. Innocent A. O Ujah (mni) paid such a courtesy visit to Abia State Governor during which challenges facing effective health care delivery were robustly discussed.
“Following this visit, the Governor promised to pay 6-9months subventions to enable payment of salaries. Out of these, 2 months have been paid to ABSUTH and 3 months to Hospital Management Board. The Governor also promised to fix the road leading to ABSUTH.
“In this same usual tradition, NMA Abia State branch paid a yuletide visit to the Senator Representing Abia North, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu at his Igbere home where we appreciated his contribution to Healthcare services,especially the vital role being played by his Non-governmental Organization (OUK Foundation) in the area of Women & Child Health and Diabetic Foot Ulcer Care in his constituency and Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camps.
“NMA used the opportunity of this visit to discuss contemporary health related issues and seek partnership in qualitative healthcare service delivery in his constituency.
“Such partnerships can and do exist between NMA and foundations involved in Internally Displaced Persons, COVID 19, Vesico-Vaginal Fistula, Heart diseases, sickle cell disease, girl child protection etc”
“That NMA visit to the Senator does not have any political undertone, as clearly explained in all our courtesy visits as health issues cuts across all political divides. Also, NMA cannot be used to achieve any political goal.”
The statement emphasised that NMA remains committed to its vision of ensurimg that the average Abian has access to quality healthcare services through mobilization of her members in key areas of health care needs, including partnership with government and non-governmental organisations.
It also stated that it remains the responsibility of NMA leadership to ensure that the its members are protected and ensure that their welfare is not compromised under any guise.
