The medical and dental consultants association of Nigeria (MDCAN) held its National Executive Council meeting in Jos Plateau State on the 26th April 2021 at the Villa Grande Hotel
The theme; “Healthcare Delivery in the Face of Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases” had the MDCAN president, Prof Kenneth Ozoilo delivering a welcome address in which urged members to continue to chart a path forward for the medical profession given the present challenges as was part of the issues that will be discussed at the NEC meeting.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Sabastain Seddi Maimako. Chairman of the occasion was represented by the Deputy VC Academics, Prof Tanko Ishaya was full of commendable remarks for the efforts of MDCAN members, however, admonished them as medical practitioners to continue to strive in finding a lasting solution to the medical problems bedeviling Nigeria.
Delivering the guest lecture, Prof A.I Zoakah centered on the theme “Healthcare delivery in the face of emerging and reemerging infectious diseases”
Prof. Zoakah outlined his presentation on Healthcare delivery, the characteristics of Healthcare delivery system, Models of Healthcare delivery, Healthcare delivery in Nigeria, Challenges of Healthcare delivery in Nigeria, The Emerging & Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases, Why Infections Emerging & Re-Emerging?, Healthcare delivery in the Era of Emerging & Re-Emerging Infections and How to strengthen Healthcare delivery in the face of Emerging & Re-Emerging Diseases Nigeria.
Talking about healthcare delivery in Nigeria, He said; “Health system in Nigeria consists of organized public and private health services, in the public health sector a decentralized system is operated and regulated at the three tiers of government”
He noted that “Health is on the concurrent list meaning that each tier of government has concurrent responsibility of providing healthcare services” further stating that ‘In Nigeria, health services are delivered through primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities by both the public and private sectors.” “Various health development plans and reforms have been implemented to strengthen the Health Systems, but the impact has been dismal”
Talking about the Challenges of Healthcare delivery in Nigeria, Prof Zoakah mentioned some as; Inequitable distribution of health facilities and low service coverage, Shortage and mal-distribution of HRH, Recurrent disruption of services, Poor and uncourteous attitude of health workers, Inadequate funding, Poor regulation, Relatively expensive nature of modern healthcare system, Poor implementation of reforms and Absence of adequate medical intelligence and surveillance systems.
He said the Emerging diseases are those that are new to man or have existed but in isolated few, or have been in existence but only recently identified as an independent disease entity (NIH, 2007). He said emerging infectious diseases include SARS, HIV/AIDS, Ebola Virus Diseases, Nipah Virus Infection, Covid-19
While the Re-emerging diseases on the other hand, are those that have declined considerably, but are now becoming a major health problem to a reasonable proportion of the population (NIH, 2007). He said Re-emerging infectious diseases include; West Nile Virus, Monkey Pox, Tuberculosis, Drug-Resistant Malaria, etc.
The Nigerian healthcare delivery is not optimal as such in an era of Emerging & Re-Emerging Infections, health systems should be strengthened to prevent & control these diseases. There is urgent need to establish Infectious Disease Control Centres (IDCC) in all our tertiary hospitals in the country, with capacity for diagnostics and research and there should be HRH development on Emerging & Re-Emerging Infectious, in preparation for NEXT PANDEMIC!
The meeting also had Sub Theme Lectures on “Brain drain and its effects on medical education center in Nigeria” which was earlier delivered by Prof Nuhu Kutan Dakumafter was followed by prof A J K Madaki who spoke on “Managing Non-Communicable Deceases NCDs in the COVID19 era, challenges and options for optimal care”
The meeting gathered reputable Medical Practitioners across the country with goodwill messages also delivered not the occasion by the President Nigerian Medical Association NMA, The speaker Plateau state house of assembly, The Chief Medical Director of JUTH amongst others
The event is will continue in Jos with other activities till 28th April 2021.
