ASABA/Nigeria: The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has advocated for the establishment of National Institute for Orthopaedic Research, noting that the establishment of the institute would enhance the productivity of orthopaedic medical practice in the country.
The President of the association, Professor Mike Ogirima, who made call in Asaba at the “40th Annual general meeting and scientific conference”, expressed satisfaction that the bill which is currently before the national assembly was already receiving attention even as he urged governments at all levels to improve the care of road traffic accident victims.
He also stressed the needs for the establishment of more trauma centres along the major highways in Nigeria.
He said ; “as an association we also want government at all levels to develop robust and 24 hours emergency Ambulance coverage for our major highways, I encourage colleagues and members of the public to invest in this business of emergency ambulance services and trauma care in Nigeria.
On the Degenerative Disease of the spine, the NMA president explained that it was carefully chosen to preview the spectrum of burden of the aspect of the spine of the pathologies, adding; “I hope all the presentation on this will add value to the emerging spine subspecialties in the country, and of recent, there is collaboration between the NMA, and the Arab spine.”
He said that some members of the association were already exploring the partnership by attending the annual workshop on various disease of the spine in UAE, and also establishing networks across the world.
Noting that the sub theme of the conference; “Financing Orthopaedic Practice in Nigeria”, Professor Ogirima disclosed that the theme would provide opportunities to the Medical Orthopaedic practitioners in both public, and private sectors on how best funds can be sourced, and utilized to improve practice in a resource poor setting, adding that Orthopaedic services just like any other medical specialty, is heavily dependent on out of pocket spending, social health insurance scheme as mandatory if only the country can achieve Universal Health Coverage UHC for her Populace.
“Private entrepreneurs must be encouraged to compliment the public health institutions to improve health care facilities at single digit interest rate must also be provided for us to stem down negative medical tourism” the NMA president added .
He however, called on members to address the growing tide for medical tourism in the country by establishing world class medical practices in strategic location and called for more of such in the establishment of group practices and diversification into other fields.
In his remarks, while declaring the event open, the state governor Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, represented by Dr Benjamin Nkechika, Director of the Delta State Health Insurance Scheme, noted that orthopaedic services has greatly enhanced medical services, disclosing that the state government procured enough medical means to carter for the well being of Deltans.
He said that the state government had also signed into law the state Contributory Health Insurance Scheme to enable all Deltans have access to medical services.
On his part, the Chief Medical Director, Federal Medical Center (FMC) Asaba, Dr. Victor Osiatomeh commended the state government for its commitment to the AGM, and assured that the conference will provide the opportunities to know more in the ortheopeadic .
