NMA Wants DSS To Extend ‘Sting Operation’ To Health Sector

The Nigerian Medical Association has called on the Federal Government to extend the sting operation by the Department of State Services to all other sectors of the economy, particularly health, as it was done in the judiciary where some judges were arrested for alleged graft.

The President of NMA, Prof. Mike Ogirima, and its Secretary-General, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, said this at a press briefing in Abuja on the occasion of the 2016 Physicians’ Week with the theme, “Healthcare delivery in a frail economy: Challenges and way forward.”.

This year’s Physicians Week, NMA said, was aimed at demanding the implementation of the National Health Act 2014 by the Federal Government, arguing that this would address some of the challenges being experienced by Nigerians due to the economic recession.

Ogirima said, “We call on the Federal Government to extend the anti-corruption crusade to all other sectors of the economy as it was done in the judiciary arm of the government. It is our belief that if this is extended to the health sector, the little resources available in the sector would be properly utilised to improve the affordability and accessibility of healthcare services to Nigerians who are passing through the economic recession.”.

The NMA called on the Federal Government to investigate and prosecute all those accused of diversion of relief materials meant for the Internally Displaced Persons in line with its anti-corruption campaign.

He said, “The NMA wishes to draw the attention of government to the negative impact of the psychological trauma and health challenges facing the released Chibokgirls. We wish to stress here that we are ever ready to partner in providing voluntary specialist healthcare services to all the released Chibok girls through our members across the country.”