The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) says private entrepreneurs will continue to play key roles in complimenting government efforts on healthcare delivery.
The outgoing Chairman of the chapter, Dr Charles Ugwuanyi said this on Tuesday at a virtual meeting to kickstart the 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM)/Scientific Conference of the association.
Charles, who is also the Managing Director, of Wellington Clinic, Abuja, said that the doctors had no alternative to developing the healthcare sector.
He said that the AGM resulted in ushering in another set of executive members who will take charge of the NMA in the FCT.
The Director-General, Institute of Medical and Health Law, Prof. Nwakwe Abogu who delivered the keynote address, urged the medical doctors to continue to provide quality healthcare to their patients.
Abogu, who is also the Head of the Department, of Private and Property Law at, University of Abuja, spoke on the topic “Medico legal aspect of medical practice: Due care and violence against medical personnel in perspective”.
According to him, medical doctors are not miracle workers, but the position of the law mandates them to give reasonable care with caution to patients.
“The basic rule is that once a doctor/patient relationship is established, it is the duty of the doctor to do his or her best to give reasonable care to the patient.
“Code of medical practice 2008 has mandated medical professionals to give right care with passion.
“It is a rule of law, it does not depend on ethics or doctor status, but it is a law imposed on us. This will make members of the public repose confidence on doctors.
“Section 23 of the National Health Act also charged doctors to give proper diagnosis. It also charged the doctors that things should be done in the language that the patient understand,” he said.
The Professor said that part of the training that has been given to doctors is for them to always have empathy; show emotion and not be too hard on the patients.
He advised that administration of drugs must be done in the right way.
NAN
