NMA Hits Ngige Over Residency Training Payment

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has slammed Minister of
Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, over his claims on payment
of residency training for doctors.

Ngige had stated during a television interview that resident
doctors in the United States of America (USA) and other developed
countries were responsible for payment of their residency training
programme whereas government pays for them in Nigeria.

Describing Ngige’s comment as hate speech capable of destroying
an already struggling health system, the NMA countered the
residency training of resident doctors in those countries are paid
by their employers.

NMA President, Prof Innocent Ujah, explained in a joint
statement with the Secretary-General, Dr Philip Ekpe, in Abuja,
said: “In as much as we appreciate the efforts being made by the
government to resolve the issues that have led to this avoidable
and unnecessary industrial action by the Nigerian Association of
Resident Doctors (NARD), the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA)
wishes to clarify the misinformation by the Minister in the
interview, which is seriously viewed to be a hate speech capable of
bringing down the health system in Nigeria and thereby worsening
the health care delivery and further escalate the crather
unimaginable current brain drain.

“In the United States of America and other developed countries,
Resident Doctors work as they are being trained and they are paid
by their employers.

“In the United Kingdom, the employer of Resident Doctors is the
NHS, which is similar to what is obtainable in Nigeria.

“Furthermore, Residents also pay to take their postgraduate
Medical examinations in the developed countries, which is what also
obtains in Nigeria.

“The NMA is totally in disagreement with the way and manner some
government functionaries carry out their duties which is completely
insensitive to the plight of the people.

“Accountability is the fulcrum for good governance in all facets
and we do not demand anything less from those charged with the
responsibility of governing the people.”

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has slammed Minister of
Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, over his claims on payment
of residency training for doctors.

Ngige had stated during a television interview that resident
doctors in the United States of America (USA) and other developed
countries were responsible for payment of their residency training
programme whereas government pays for them in Nigeria.

Describing Ngige’s comment as hate speech capable of destroying
an already struggling health system, the NMA countered the
residency training of resident doctors in those countries are paid
by their employers.

NMA President, Prof Innocent Ujah, explained in a joint
statement with the Secretary-General, Dr Philip Ekpe, in Abuja,
said: “In as much as we appreciate the efforts being made by the
government to resolve the issues that have led to this avoidable
and unnecessary industrial action by the Nigerian Association of
Resident Doctors (NARD), the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA)
wishes to clarify the misinformation by the Minister in the
interview, which is seriously viewed to be a hate speech capable of
bringing down the health system in Nigeria and thereby worsening
the health care delivery and further escalate the crather
unimaginable current brain drain.

“In the United States of America and other developed countries,
Resident Doctors work as they are being trained and they are paid
by their employers.

“In the United Kingdom, the employer of Resident Doctors is the
NHS, which is similar to what is obtainable in Nigeria.

“Furthermore, Residents also pay to take their postgraduate
Medical examinations in the developed countries, which is what also
obtains in Nigeria.

“The NMA is totally in disagreement with the way and manner some
government functionaries carry out their duties which is completely
insensitive to the plight of the people.

“Accountability is the fulcrum for good governance in all facets
and we do not demand anything less from those charged with the
responsibility of governing the people.”