By Kazeem Akolawole
The Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, has called on President Muhammadu and the Minister of Health to conclude without any further delay the appointment of a substantive Chief Medical Director, CMD, for the management of the National Hospital Abuja, in line with the established processes and procedures.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association FCT Chapter, Dr. Charles Ugwuanyi, made the call during a press briefing with journalists in Abuja
Ugwuanyi said that the NMA Congress is aware of the process of producing the next Chief Medical Director the National Hospital which has been in acting position since the exit of the previous CMD in March 2022, so this becomes necessary to avoid disharmony which would potentially impact negatively on the smooth service delivery.
Ugwuanyi further noted that the Association’s attention was drawn to the publication by online media on the 28th of March 2023, where the Board of Management of National Hospital Abuja, chaired by Honourable Patricia Etteh, alleged President Buhari and the Minister for Health plot to compromise the appointment of the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital Abuja.
His words: “Therefore, the NMA FCT Chapter asks in order to streamline developmental trends and high standards of medical service delivery to the Nigerian patients in Abuja in a harmonious environment, the President and Minister of State for health should conclude appointment process of the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital without any further delay.
Ugwuanyi further demanded that the leadership of National Association of Nigeria Nursing and Midwifery, FCT Chapter, should tender an unreserved public apology to the Nigerian Medical Association and also to Dr. Sunday Atinko and also should deploy the same quantum of zeal and energy of the same cyber warriors to rewrite and counter all the false allegations against Dr.Atinko as a way of clearing his damaged public image and give him a fair share of positive side of history.
“From the outcome of the March 2023 Organisation Congress Meeting the NMA Congress expressed appreciation to the Management of the National Hospital Management for the courage, resilience to perform a thorough investigation and to publish the outcome without fear or favour thus vindicating not only Dr. Sunday Atinko but also the NMA FCT in general”.
“The Body affirmed their confidence in Dr. Atinko Sunday as a responsible doctor, competent surgeon who has dedicated his life and career to patients”.
Ugwuanyi, further reiterated that as a leader in the health care delivery space, NMA desire always and indeed have enjoyed a harmonious relationship with not only nurses but other professional groups in the course of service delivery and remain at the forefront of the fight against violence against health care professionals.
Further according to him, “With high sense of patriotic drive and commitment to service to humanity and guided by the rule of law in our desire for much better decent civilized society, we recalled the received of sadden news of the member involvement in a physical altercation with nurse Marvis Ebalu at the National Hospital Abuja on June 13th, 2022”.
Ugwuanyi added that Dr. Atinko has be cleared of all charges by the investigation report sent to the NMA during the March 2023 OGM reports, and the Congress demand for public apology to the NMA FCT chapter Body and Dr. Atinko from the NANNM FCT chapter as there was never any physical abuse by Dr. Sunday Atinko, but there was a clear case of insubordination by nurse Marvis Ebula.
