The president of the Nigerian Medical Association, Innocent Ujah, told newsmen in Abuja on Sunday that the position of the Joint Health Sector Union on the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill and the public hearing on it was misguided and an attempt to instigate crises in the health sector.
JOHESU had recently expressed concern about some provisions of the bill, and accused the Senate Committee Chairman on Health, Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, of bias, during the public hearing on the bill and four other bills.
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The union also threatened to go on strike if its demands are not addressed.
Prof Ujah said: “We believe that these feelings are misguided and emanate from a misunderstanding and ignorance of the purpose of the Bill among these professionals, and mischief by a few of their leaders who exploit the misunderstanding and ignorance among their members.
“A dispassionate and ponderous reading of the provisions of the Bill would make it clear to all reasonable persons who only seek to advance themselves without causing unnecessary acrimony and rancour in the health sector and health system, that the Bill is well intended and in tandem with contemporary medical and dental practice.
“We fully support the Bill and call upon members of the professions allied to medicine and dentistry, and members of the public in general to support the Bill for the advancement of quality healthcare delivery in Nigeria.”