NMA seeks National Institute for Orthopaedic Research

At N’Assembly, urges govt to improve care for road traffic accident victims
The Nigeria medical association (NMA) has sought speedy passage in the establishment of national institute of orthopaedic research currently at the National Assembly, saying that the passage would enhance the productivity of orthopaedic medical practitioners.

The president of the association, Prof. Mike Ogirima who made this known Thursday in Asaba at the “40th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference”, expressed satisfaction that the bill was already receiving attention at the house of representatives and urged governments at all levels to improve the care of road traffic accident victims, as well as establish more trauma centres along the major road networks in Nigeria.

He said; “as an association we also want our government at various levels should develop robust 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 with the name of the AGM” “ 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 subspecialty in the country, and of recent, there is collaboration between the NOA, 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 climes Noting that the sub theme “ Financing orthopeadic practice in Nigeria”, Professor Ogirima disclosed that the theme would provide opportunities to the medical ortheopeadic 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 orthopeadic 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 UHC for her Populace. “ Private entrepreneurs must be encourage to compliment the public health institutions to improve health care, facilities at single digit interest rate must be provide for us to stem down negative medical tourism” the NMA president added . He commended members or the trend at the emerging reviser of 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, the state governor Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, represented by Dr Benjamin Nkechika, Director of national health insurance scheme, noted that ortheopeadic services has largely provided for the impotence of health in 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 contributing health insurance scheme to enable all Deltans has access to medical services. Also speaking 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 .