We Have Jealously Guarded, Promoted Welfare, Well-being of our Members… Dr. Koroye

By Amos Odhe.

The chairman of Nigerian Medical Association BAYELSA state branch, Dr. Oyintonbra Funkuro Koroye, has said the association have jealously guarded and promoted the welfare and well-being of their members in the state.

He said the NMA is also playing it’s role in public enlightenment through weekly health talks on radio stations. Saying through the media they were able to educate the populace on Health and related issues especially on self- medication and the dangers of patronizing quacks and chalartans.

Dr. Koroye stated this at the opening ceremony of this year Nigerian Medical Association Annual General Meeting BAYELSA state branch at the Banquet Hall, Yenagoa. Saying they also lent their voice to the topical issues like the obnoxious ‘5 year bond for new medical graduates which he said they condemned it it’s entirety.

He said the theme; The Impact Of Fuel Subsidy Removal On Effective Health Care Delivery In BAYELSA state, was carefully chosen and reflects a burning contemporary issue.

“Artificial Intelligence in recent years has sparked quite some controversy. There have been concerns that A. I. may take over humans job and roles including, just recently, the intimate partner role. Is there a place for A. I. in Health Care? This are some of the things we have come to learn about in this Annual General Meeting. To have more knowledge on A. I.”

“In line with our vision and mission NMA bayelsa state has embarked on a number of activities over the past year. At the peak of the 2022 flood, we deployed a Flood Intervention Outreach to complement the efforts of the Prosperity government and the Ministry of Health in mitigating the effects of the devastating flood.”

“Funds for this Intervention were gotten from our coffers, from voluntary donations by our members and from family members and friends of the association. Over nine million naira was realized in addition to other relief materials, medical supplies and consumables, water and mosquito nets”.

He other services rendered include clinics/consultations, health education talk, laboratory services and drugs. Other he said are Covid-19 vaccination, routine immunization of children, deworming and donation of relief materials. “Our Intervention covers the three senatorial district. This we did as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility to the good people of bayelsa state”.

Dr. Koroye also used the opportunity to draw the attention of the state government to some burning issues which includes the implementation of the new Hazard allowance for Doctors and other Health workers in the state, the implementation of Rural Posting allowance for consultants in the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri.

Others includes, the implementation of CONMESS for medical lecturers in the Niger Delta University and bayelsa Medical Association, provision of an operational vehicle and a bus for the association. Financial assistance for the NMA bayelsa Secretariat building project, support for the forthcoming South South Doctor’s Games and upgrading the equipment and facilities in NDUTH Okolobiri and other hospitals in the state.

“On a general note, I want to advocate for the further strengthening of Primary Health Care as this will ensure achievements of Universal Health Coverage. One of the way to achieve this is to increase Health Care sector funding. The Abuja declaration 2001 recommends that African Government allocate at least 15 percent of it’s budget to this sector. I wish to crave the indulgence of H.E. governor Douye Diri to please oblige our request”.

In his address, the chairman of the occasion, Dr. Peter Singabele, said the theme of the AGM: Impact Of Fuel Subsidy Removal On Effective Health Care Delivery In BAYELSA state” is not only apt but timely.

Singabele said, he admit that a good number of his professional colleagues including himself have not shown enough commitment to activities of the NMA which is the umbrella body of medical and dental practitioners in the country.

“I therefore urged us all to show more commitment to the NMA and her activities so as to contribute our own quota not only to the professional body, but to the overall improvement of health care services in our country”.