NMA seeks greater cooperation with nurses
By Ummul Idris
The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has called for the reintroduction of the old good working relationship that existed between medical practitioners and nurses to promote better working relations in the healthcare sector.
The NMA President, Dr Francis Faduyile, made the appeal on Monday when he visited the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) in Abuja.
Faduyile said that the NMA was prepared for better relation with the nurses and always committed to the restoration of the lost glory between health workers, especially the doctors and nurses relationship.
He said that such collaboration would guarantee better working relationship, quality healthcare service for patients and better working environment.
“It is true that nurses have not had the best of times over the years in the health sector. And that has pushed them to distance themselves from the doctors.
“By this visit, NMA is calling on nurses to return to the lost relationship that has been progressive and beneficial to both of us.
“It is important we ensure harmony within the health sector and better working environment,” he said.
According to him, everybody in the medical profession must key into the new spirit of togetherness and Nigerians must know that health workers are united.
Responding, Mr Abdrafiu Adeniji, the President of NANNM, commended NMA for the visit, while also acknowledging that without harmonious and cordial relationship, the healthcare environment will not develop.
“We should be able to do it in a way that will not hamper the benefit of our patients.
“We are committed to team action and quality healthcare services to the healthcare consumers that we are employed to serve,” he said.
According to him, “we take sincere commitment of each and every one of us, we believe the health sector in Nigeria will be better’’.
Also speaking, Mr Thomas Shettima, the General Secretary of NANNM, said the objective of close collaboration would ensure that patients receive the best service since both nurses and doctors are patients centred.
“We have understood that conflict is not taking us anywhere, but if we work together the sky is our limit,” Shettima said.
