Ph.D. not required to head teaching hospitals, university –NMA

 

The Nigerian Medical Association says fellowship is the highest academic and professional qualification in human medicine. 

 

The association also restated that Ph.D. is not a prerequisite qualification for the attainment of the Chief Executive position in tertiary institutions.

 

NMA stated this in a communique issued at the end of its recently concluded Annual General Conference, held in Jos, Plateau State.

 

The communique was signed by the President of the Association, Prof. Innocent Ujah, and the Secretary-General, Dr. Philips Ekpe.

 

It said, “The conference reaffirmed that fellowship is the highest academic and professional qualification in human medicine and restated its position that possession of Ph.D. was not a prerequisite qualification for career progression and attainment of the Chief Executive position by Medical Doctors in tertiary institutions including any university in Nigeria.”

 

NMA also said it is consulting with relevant offices to seek clarification on the appointment of Consultant Pharmacists as a new public service cadre.

 

It noted that this will help to clarify areas of ambiguity, streamlining the functions and ensuring that the role of the doctor in being the final decision-making authority in patient care remains sacrosanct.

 

The association also expressed concern over the ‘shoddy’ implementation of the centralised placement of House Officers and resolved not to ensure speedy and fewer complications in the implementation of the policy.

 

“The conference acknowledged the report of the Remuneration and Welfare Committee as it concerns hazard allowance, retirement age, specialist allowance and urges the government to expedite action to conclude the process in order to forestall any further disruptions of services in the public health sector.

 

“The conference reviewed the level of progress in clearing the backlog of salary arrears of doctors in Abia, Imo, Ondo, Ekiti, Kogi, Anambra, and Edo states.

 

“Governments of Kogi and Edo states were appreciated for clearing the backlog of salaries for their doctors but expresses dismay and dissatisfaction with the remaining states for their failure to pay doctors their deserved wages,” it added.

 

NMA, however, appealed to the concerned state governments to clear the backlog of entitlements owed her members and endorsed any lawful action those state chapters may adopt in obtaining their due benefits and compensations for work already done.