By Golok Nanmwa,Jos

Newly-elected President of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Professor Innocent Ujah has said that he would work to improve health care in the country .

He made this known while speaking with newsmen in Jos the Plateau state capital after been received by members of the association in the state .

He said that his administration will prioritise the welfare of Nigerian doctors.

Ujah, said he would lobby and advocate for improved remuneration, realistic hazard allowance for doctors in the country.

“We shall continue to engage other health workers in order to improve inter-professional harmony within the health sector to understand each other and by seeking and pursuing common goals.”

While promising to leverage on the gains of previous administrations, he said collectively, they would open up new frontiers, ensure mutual beneficial collaborations and partnerships with government and other organisations to uphold the dignity and the welfare of the Nigerian doctor.

His words: “We face a crucial time with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prof Ujah further however warned that Federal Government not to allow governors to take over the COVID-19 battle in the country.

He said President Muhammadu Buhari should not devolve such powers to the state governments “because apart from Lagos and maybe one or two other states, the commitment is very disappointing.

“This is an emergency, coordination is very important and the coordination should be central .

He urged the Federal government to set up a research team to regularly evaluate the country’s response to COVID-19.

He said doing so was important to enable the country to ascertain what was working or not, making the necessary impact in its COVID -19 response.

He said it was also important to include a research team in the composition of the Presidential Task force on COVID-19.

“We need a research team that would monitor regularly
“The response must be evaluated by the research team.

“If you say we should wear a face mask, what is the percentage of Nigerians wearing masks in Plateau .

“We don’t have social distancing as far as I’m concerned.

Speaking earlier the Plateau State NMA Chairman Dr Titus Dajel, felicitated with Ujah, and described him as a distinguished medical scholar and outstanding patriot .

He said that Ujah had distinguished himself as a professional with proven progressive experience in National Maternal Health policy development in Nigeria.

According to him, the new NMA president would bring his wealth of experience to bear on his new task.

“On behalf of the NMA in Plateau I congratulate Professor Innocent Ujah, on his election as President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).

“It is a thing of joy to note that he won the election with a very wide margin which indicated the overwhelming acceptance of his competence and ability to lead the professional body .

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NMA President Professor Ujah Vows to Prioritise Welfare of Nigerian Doctors