At HEMDDAN Award, CMD MAUTH, Omatseye, others honoured for outstanding contributions to healthcare

It was a season of rewarding diligence as the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital (MAUTH) Yola, Adamawa State, Auwal Muhammad Abubakar, Founder/MD JNC International, Mrs. Clare Omatseye, and three others bagged Hospital Equipment and Medical Devices Dealers Association of Nigeria (HEMDDAN) 2022 Awards.

Speaking at the 3rd Yearly General Meeting, held at the Sickle Cell Centre, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, last week, HEMDDAN National President, Dr. Ifeanyi Nwankwo said: “HEMDDAN has survived the first three crucial and most difficult years in the life of any association. If a child is conceived, does not die in the womb or during birth and has survived the first three years, the chances are that that child has come to live. Since inauguration in 2019, every year, HEMDDAN is getting better, stronger and bigger. I appeal to all of us to support the magazine. HEMDDAN journal is the first of its kind in Africa.”

In his welcome address, the National Secretary and Chairman AGM planning committee, Patrick Umoebe noted: “The success recorded by organising ourselves into a formidable association capable of catering for the interest of members in particular and the public in general, is an achievement the members of HEMDDAN, friends and well-wishers are proud of.

“As long as HEMDDAN is concerned, we shall continue in our strive to operate within the ambits of all known legal norms. ‘Health they say is wealth’ healthy persons make up a wealthy society; we are committed to providing Nigeria’s healthcare industries with standard medicaments and modern quality hospital apparatuses. I believe strongly that by the formation of HEMDDAN, we have commenced a very important journey in the promotion of the good health of our people I equally believe strongly that we’re succeeding.”

In his keynote address, the CMD, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka, Anambra State, Dr. Joe Akabuike stressed the need for the Federal Government to improve the budget for the funding and equipping of government health institutions to meet the global healthcare practice in the urban and rural areas of the country

Akabuike, who is also a recipient, urged government to change mindset of building flyovers, to building and equipping hospitals to be able to save lives.

“By the time we finish building flyovers, there won’t be anyone to cross it when the health sector is neglected,” he added. Other award recipients include: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/Managing Director (MD) of Minjirya Heath Services Limited Mr. Mustapha Hussaini Falakin, and MD Agary Pharmaceutical Ltd, Callistus Ubajaka.

HEMDDAN had decried rising cost of medical devices and pharmaceutical products in the market. Nwankwo had said the trend is too dangerous for the health industry and it may worsen health challenges in the country. Nwankwo said the situation might lead to spread of infectious diseases, especially in rural areas and also encourage importation of fake and substandard medical devices with attendant consequences.

On the issue of prolonged debt by government hospitals, Nwankwo said the legal and debt recovery committee and HEMDDAN’s legal team shall assist members to recover any prolonged debt owed by any government hospital or agencies.

On the issue of foreign manufacturers and agents selling directly to HEMDDAN’s customers, he said the situation should be discussed with the National Assembly Committee on Health.

Besides 60 per cent levy on syringes, Nwankwo said there are quite a number of challenges facing members’ businesses today that needs intervention of the association and Federal Government.

He said some of the major challenges are: prolonged delay in registration of products; multiple charges including hike in GMP certificate; and uneven competition with foreign manufacturers and agents. Nwankwo said HEMDDAN is making serious effort to resolve some of these challenges.