George Onah
23 September 2008
The National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria has raised the alarm over the significant drop in medical care in the Niger Delta region "because of the increased armed conflict within the region."
Also, NARD reasoned that "health care indices such as infant mortality rate and maternal mortality rate will continue to grow at an alarming rate except something is done to stop the conflict in the region."
A communiqué after its scientific conference and AGM in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Sunday, and signed by the new national president of the association, Dr. Owhondah Golden said oil exploration in the region had shored up several diseases.
Also signed by the secretary general, Dr. Okongwu Chinedu, the group said, "the disease burden in the region has been on the increase due to pollution of the environment, on-going oil exploration and inadequate health care delivery system" in the area.
It appealed "fervently to the Federal Government and governments of the Niger Delta region to act fast in checking the conflict" which it said has ultimately caused drugs, health care facilities and health personnel to be far from those who need medical attention.
Further, the doctors said they "will continue to pursue the association's Rural Outreach Health Programme in collaboration with the Millennium Development Goals as well as with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON.
In addition, "NARD will also pursue these objectives with the Federal Ministry of Health, National Primary Health Care Development Agency and other NGO's to alleviate the health problems of the rural dwellers
The group frowned at the "undue and incessant harassment and brutality of NARD members by the Nigeria Police. This is completely unacceptable and the association calls on the Inspector General of Police to protect doctors on duty from this negative incidents".
On the doctor's welfare, the association urged the "Federal Government of Nigeria to approve the Medical Salary Scale (MSS), Medical Salary Super Scale (MSSS) for medical practitioners as this is a major means of the actualisation of primary health care."
Again, they said the group "is ready to act together with the Nigerian Medical Association to achieve it. However, NARD still demands that in the interim the extant circular which is CONTISS of March 2007 be correctly and appropriately implemented in all health conters with arrears".
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