NMA EBONYI STATE INTENSIFIES FIGHT AGAINST QUACKERY IN THE MEDICAL PRACTICE

The Nigeria Medical Association, NMA has called on Ebonyi State Government to come up with a law to check activities of quack medical doctors who kill and maim innocent patients who seek their services.

The Chairman of the Association in the State, Dr Augustine Ikwudinma, made the call at a sensitization programme against medical quackery at the headquarters of Afikpo North Local Government Area.

Dr. Ikwudinma explained that the law had become imperative following the alleged death of a two hundred level Mechanical Engineering student of Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Uwana at a hospital allegedly owned by a quack medical doctor in Afikpo.

He noted that the alleged quack doctor who was now at large would have killed another patient if not for the quick intervention of a team from NMA and the State Commissioner for Health.

The Chairman NMA Anti Quackery Committee in the State, Dr John Nweze, also recounted a similar incident where the Association had to arrest a quack medical doctor for allegedly killing and dismembering an 18 year old girl at an illegal Hospital at Ojowere Street, Abakaliki.

The Chairman of the State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Mazi Oliver Osi, assured the Association of the committee’s readiness to work on a bill to stamp out Medical quackery as well as substandard health facilities.
Also, Ebonyi State Commissioner for Health represented the Director of Public Health in the State Ministry of Health, Dr Michael Uromi, who r raised alarm over rising cases of infertility in Afikpo as a result of illegal abortion called for information to arrest quack health practitioners perpetrating the act.

He pointed out that the State Government was working towards reactivating the 13 General Hospitals in the State to reduce the chances of patronizing quack doctors.
AMECHI ODO