NMA seeks enforcement of doctors’ stamp to curb quackery 

The Chairman of the Abia State Branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Ejiro Carol Iwuoha has called for the effective enforcement of ‘Doctors’ Stamp’ to check quackery in the medical practice in the country.

She said that the stamp which was launched last year, has several features and unique to each authentic medical doctor.

Educating the public and concerned agencies on the Doctors’ Stamp, she said that it is only reports that are affixed with the said Doctors’ Stamp that should be regarded as coming from a qualified medical doctor in the country.

Speaking at the 2018 annual Abia State NMA Physicians week held in Umuahia, the state capital, Dr. Iwuoha urged medical practitioners to endeavour to uphold the physicians’ pledge in their practice both in the public and private sectors.

The theme of the NMA year week was ‘Universal Health Coverage (UHC)’, which also had two sub-themes namely, ‘Medical quackery; professional regulation and the Doctors’ Stamp, and ‘Closing the Gap in polio eradication strategy in Nigeria by 2019; the Role of NMA”.

She advised those that are yet to get their stamps to visit the NMA State and Zonal Secretariats for details.
She expressed worry over the proliferation of acclaimed traditional healers in the state, “who flagrantly make bogus claims on their unverified abilities through radio and television stations in the state.”

The state NMA Chairman further urged the state government to channel efforts and resources towards upgrading the state Specialist hospital to provide opportunity for postgraduate residency training of doctors in specialties.

She commended the state government for passing the Abia State Health Insurance Bill into law saying it provides the legal framework for the actualization of the Universal Health Coverage adding that the state NMA was ready to partner with the government to contribute to health policy development and implementation of its health programmes.