Osun NMA AGM: Find Replacement Before Resignation Or Seeking Greener Pastures Abroad- Medical Elders Advise Doctors

By Grace Isaac, Osogbo

Elders in Medical Lines in Osun State have advised members of the Nigeria Medical Association(NMA), Osun State Chapter to ensured they have someone that will replace them before resigning or going abroad for greener pastures .

The medical elders, from different hospital in Osun, gave the advise on Thursday during the NMA dinner night with Medical elders as part of the activities marking 2023 NMA Annual General Meeting.

Speaking , Dr Jimoh Tajudeen Olatunbosun said getting a replacement before resigning will make the junior staff not to be over used in the hospital.

Olatunbosun who is the CMD of Honestly Hospital, Osogbo, stressed that senior doctors should not wait for government to employ workers into hospitals.

He advised that senior doctors, among them, should find a replacement immediately, when there is vacuum, and thereafter inform the governor.

According to him, doing so shows that they cared and have the interest of the patients at heart.

He equally summited that an immediate replacement before resignation will reduce the stress and work load on the junior staff and even encourage the junior workers not to leave.

Doctor Olatunbosun also charged the medical doctors not to leave surgery patient into the care of junior doctors, who are not well experienced, saying it is dangerous to do so and may even lead to jail if anything happens to a patient in the cause of an inexperienced junior doctor treating such a patient.

He charged the doctors to let their families know the amount of money they have in their bank account so that such money will not be forfeited into federal government account if anything happens.

He said” You are not being kind to your younger one if you don’t replace those leaving.

“Let the upper authority know that you want to employ more doctors, don’t suffer your junior staff. If any younger doctor over work and suffer health issues; the blame will be on you.

“Keep very good record of your profession. If you are carrying out an operation on a patient in your hospital, don’t leave the patient for your junior staff, even if the junior staff is a qualified nurse, don’t leave your patient with them.

“Stay with them and ensure the patient is healthy before leaving otherwise, if any thing happens and they lay their hands on you, you will be jailed.” he said

He also advise them not to make money their target and over taxed their patients.

“Don’t exploit your patients, maintain your integrity , control your ego and maintain cordial relationship with other health personnel.” he said

Also Speaking, Dr Adeolu Adetoke, urged senior doctors to uphold the principle of professionalism and stand by the oath they swore to save lives adding that Nigerians in general expect more commitment from them.

Adetoke also charge them to walk in unity and encourage one another quoting the saying, “an injury to one is an injury to all.

“Be committed to your work and maintain your integrity. The position you are occupying today, perform your best and survive the struggle.

“Be your brothers keeper, whatever happens to others should be a concern to you.”

Earlier, Dr Adetoye Adedapo , Chairman Osun NMA, said the elders were called upon to get their opinion and counsel on appointment of members and also to seek advice on their needs before tendering proposal to the state house of assembly.

“Doctors are resigning almost every week , On Wednesday we were at the State House of Assembly to demand for salary increment and employment of doctors.

“We were asked to come with a proposal on the areas we need help and that is why we called on you our elders, we need your opinion on the proposal before summiting it to the House of Assembly.

“We also want you to counsel us on appointment and we seek your presence in our Saturday grand finale of doctors week and the south west doctors conference coming up in November; where doctors from Oyo, Osun , Ondo, Ogun, Lagos and Ekiti will come together to discuss.” he said

NMA vice chairman, Dr Adeniyi Fasanu, in his own address appreciates the elders for coming.

He noted that the elders were carry along on their program so that the young doctors will interact with them and learn from their experience.

Speaking on the theme for the grand final of the program “Brain Drain and Inequitable Distribution of Health Care Resources, Urgent Need to Save the Nigerians Health Care Sector”, he lamented that doctors were leaving on daily basis as a result of brain drain.

He urged the elders to come on Saturday and join their Speaker: Prof. Akin Osibogun President, National Postgraduate Medical College, Lagos among others speakers, in discussing the theme and way out.

CityMirrorNews reports that the programme continues today with the special Jumma’at service at the UNIOSUN central mosque, Osogbo at 1:00 pm

End