Medical Women’s Association decries attacks on members by patients, others, holds conference

Medical doctors under the aegis of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) have decried frequent attacks on members by patients, their relatives and security agents.

According to the Acting President, MWAN Lagos branch, Dr. Ibironke Sodeinde, medical personnel are not being adequately protected in the country.

She disclosed this at a press conference heralding the association’s two-day 22nd Biennial Conference/Annual General Meeting scheduled for Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja, Lagos, on December 7 and 8.

Sodeinde told journalists that health workers suffer at the hands of security agents, making it difficult for them to discharge their work effectively.

She said: “When there is insecurity, it has adverse effect on health because you have heightened or worsened the condition of ill health in people.”

A public health physician and member of MWAN, Dr. Oluchi Okafor, said the vision of the organisation is to be the foremost healthcare provider in Nigeria.

She said the association, which is located in more than 30 states of the federation is a non-governmental, non-political organisation of registered female medical and dental officers, and an affiliate of the Medical Women’s International Association (MWIA) and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), involved in the promotion and maintenance of health and well-being of the populace, with special focus on women and children.

Speakers expected at the conference are Secretary to the Lagos State Government (SSG), Mrs. Folashade Jaji; Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi; wife of the Lagos State Governor, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; and prominent medical personnel.

The theme of the conference is: ‘Health and Security: A Critical Appraisal’.