By; Alex Uangbaoje, Kaduna.
The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has decried the deplorable health situation of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and expressed willingness to partner the Federal Government and other relevant stakeholders in the effort to combat the health challenges.
This formed part of the resolutions reached at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting which held in Lagos and as contained in a communique issued and jointly signed by the National President and Secretary General of the association, Professor Balarabe Sani Garko and Dr. Abdulkadir L.Rafindadi respectively.
Addressing a press conference in Kaduna where the communique was presented, the President of the Association, Professor Garko flanked by the Secretary General and another Exco member said, that “the meeting observed that the deplorable health situation with conditions such as malaria, malnutrition and poorly saniitation in existence at the thirteen camps with 319,749 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
“That the members of MDCAN are ready and willing to partner with the government and other stakeholders in the effort to combat the Health. Challenges of the IDPs. The need to be proactive and show more visibility in addressing these challenges was emphasised”.
According to the communique, the need for urgent implementation of the resettlement plan by the Federal Government for the IDPs in addition to on-going efforts in addressing their various health challenges was advocated.
The communique also called on the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) to urgently work towards the resolution of the current National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) strike by implementing all various agreements reached at various intervention meetings attended by MDCAN and other well meaning individuals and groups.
The communique also resolved and strongly condemned the negative role of some staff of the FMoH in the resolution of the recurring crisis in. The health sector especially the differential application of labour laws with regards to. Strike and the propensity to differentially act on circulars often to the detriment of Medical Doctors. “Staff of the FMoH involved in these retrogresive activities need to be identified and appropriate disciplinary actions taken immediately” the association stressed.
