By Gom Mirian
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), has called for the immediate appointment of a substantive Chief Medical Director (CMD) for the National Hospital Abuja.
Dr. Charles Ugwulanyi, the chairman, of NMA-FCT, made the call at a conference in Abuja on Friday.
He noted that a process of proceeding with the next CMD for the National Hospital has been in place since the exit of the previous CMD in March 2022, adding that the post is currently occupied in an acting capacity.
While reacting to a newspaper publication alleging that the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, was plotting to compromise the appointment of CMD for the National Hospital, Ugwulanyi expressed the NMA’s concern in the process of producing the next CMD.
He noted that the process must be acknowledged by all concerned, especially the board which is the body constitutionally charged with that responsibility to be free and fair so that the product will be acceptable.
This, according to the chairman, has become necessary to avoid any disharmony which will potentially impact negatively on the smooth service delivery, especially at these perilous times.
“We are grappling with the mass exodus of highly trained and skilled medical professionals out of our already thinned-out health human capital base.
“We desire to lend our voice to the call on the Minister of Health and President Muhammadu Buhari to conclude without further delays in the appointment of a substantive CMD for the National Hospital Abuja in line with the established processes and procedures,” he said.
