Covid-19: Akwa Ibom Govt, NMA feud may Affect State’s Readiness
Grace Udoh Uyo
Om March 28th 2020, the honourable Commissioner of Health, Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Dominic Ukpong called an emergency meeting of all the paramedical associations to discuss the preparedness of Akwa Ibom State but they angrily walked out because the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) was not invited. Earlier in the week the NMA had called all those associations for a meeting at the end of which a signed communique was released and government was advised on how best to handle any possible outbreak response/ preparedness. They accused the NMA of being partisan and continued telling the people lies.
It is very disappointing that instead of the Akwa Ibom State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to partner the government in curbing any possible outbreak of the dreaded corona virus in Akwa Ibom, they have decided to use the press in raising unnecessary arguments on the level of preparedness of the state government to combat the spread of the virus. This is in line with with their bid to incite the public against the government of the State.
In a time like this, it is needful that the NMA as a professional body, would ideally partner the government in sensitizing, updating and informing the public on measures to curb the spread of the corona virus, but rather, they have resorted to using the pandemic to selfishly enrich their pockets. This is one reason they are agitating that the State government through the Ministry of Health, should pave way for them to dominate the process. This in line with their Allegedly aim of siphoning money through the outbreak of this deadly virus. Too sad!
The Nigerian Medical Association, Akwa Ibom State Chapter, engineered other umbrella Associations under them to walk out on the Stakeholders meeting that was held at Watbridge Hotel to discuss measures in which the spread of the deadly virus can be curbed in Akwa Ibom State, simply because of their insatiable demands with unrealistic conditions. I think as responsible citizens, what should be paramount at this crucial time should be how to protect and safe the lives of the people of the state, and not enriching the pockets of certain greedy individuals who are only concerned about their stomach, against the health of the masses.
It is reported that the Government had rehabilitate and equipped the General hospital in Iquitta Oron, General Hospital Ikot Ekpene, IDH Ikot Ekpene, Health Centre in Ikono and many other medical facilities in the state which were in deplorable conditions by the Udom Emmanuel led state government?
It is alleged that The Nigerian Medical Association in Akwa Ibom State at this period are agitating for money instead of being bothered about the healthcare of the people.
The convincing line remains that the Akwa Ibom State government is prepared to tackle any possible outbreak of this deadly disease, therefore, it is entirely unnecessary for the Akwa Ibom State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association to display their greed to the general public, resorting to blackmail. They fantasize that Honourable the Commissioner for Health Akwa Ibom State has a made a huge budget for the ravaging COVID19 and is eating alone. So they agitate for their own share of the cake and in this regards, they’ve unanimously called for the removal of the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dominic Ukpong. Is this not a clear case of unpatriotic folks? I can as a matter of fact state that the call for the sack of the Honourable Commissioner for Health is a mere beer parlour talks by idle minds who’ve failed in their attempt of mortgaging the fortunes of the State.