Welcome to the Delta State Nigerian Medical Association (DS NMA)
on the world wide web. The DS NMA is a branch of the Nigerian Medical
Association (NMA), a member of the Conference of African Medical
Associations and Societies (CAMAS), Commonwealth Medical Association
(CMA) and the World Medical Association (WMA).
The NMA is the largest medical association in
the West African sub-region with over 35,000 members from 36 state
branches and the branch from the Federal capital Territory. The Delta
State Branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (Delta NMA) came into
existence following the creation of Delta State on August 27, 1991 from
the old Bendel State. The transition from Bendel State to Delta State
was easier than would have been expected. Dr. Adogbeji Ernest Ideh was
elected the Chairman of Bendel NMA, before the state creation. The
existing structures, the persons and personalities in the Delta part of
the divide also played significant roles in the coming on stream of the
new branch. Dr. A. E. Ideh naturally became the pioneer Chairman of the
branch.
Delta NMA is composed of medical
practitioners in both the public and private sectors. It is
constitutionally divided into six geographical zones of contiguous Local
Government Areas. The zones are Agbor, Asaba, Isoko/Ndokwa, Sapele,
Ughelli and Warri. The last being the first is popularly called the zone.
Apart from the zonal structures, Affiliated Professional Bodies
recognized by the National body also have their state branches and play
very significant roles in the affairs of the state. These bodies are
Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), National
Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners of
Nigeria (NAGGMDP), Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (ARD) and
Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria
(AGPMPN). The supreme body of Delta NMA, like other state branches, is
the Annual General Meeting (AGM). This is an annual gathering of all
members of the Association usually in July. At this meeting, issues are
considered and decisions taken are binding on all. Such decisions or
ratifications can only be reconsidered by the next AGM. The Branch
Officers Committee (BOC) whose members are elected during the AGM for a
two-year tenure, in addition to the immediate past Chairman and
Secretary, runs the administrative structure on a daily basis. The head
of the body is the Chairman who presides over all meetings. The BOC in
addition to Zone Chairmen, Secretaries, a non-elected member from each
zone, Heads of Affiliated Professional Groups and Chairmen of Standing
Committees, make up the Branch Executive Council (BEC). The Council is
the second highest decision-making body and meets quarterly. These
well-defined and all embracing structures make the Delta State NMA one
of the most diverse but administratively cohesive branches in the
Country.
The Association holds training courses for
doctors, and participates in radio programmes and TV talk shows. It has
several ongoing projects including those on HIV/AIDS, family planning
and primary health care. Project development is dependent upon outside
funding. Funding agencies supporting the Association's activities
include: United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), United
Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organization (WHO),
United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Ford
Foundation, and the John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. The
Association also collaborates in specific projects on health issues
with individual NGOs and with the National Association of
Non-governmental Organizations on health (NANGOH).
In
1999, when civil governance came into the country, the need for a
united Delta State NMA became obligatory. The pioneer State Secretary,
Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, as an NMA activist and the Honourable
Commissioner for Health as at that time, took up the challenge of
reconciling all groups of NMA. Working in collaboration with Dr. R. W.
Ejifoma and other members, a meeting of stakeholders of the Association
took place at the NNPC Juniour Staff Club Ugborikoko-Warri. The
President, Dr. J. O. Winful-Orieke, Secretary, Dr. C. Ossai-Abaninwa and
other members such as Drs. C. O. Ugbotor, G. O. Oboreh, etc.,
represented the Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (ARD). The
State Chairman, Dr. R. W. Ejifoma, led the Warri group and the BOC. Drs.
E. E. Uduaghan, (Chief) T. E. A. Salubi, (Chief) Albert Odjegba and
Anthony Ebinum were among the stakeholders and the elders’ team to
broker peace. The Heads and Secretaries represented the zones and other
affiliated professional groups in the meeting. A Caretaker Committee was
formed with Dr. (Chief) T. E. A. Salubi, one time Commissioner in
Bendel State as the Chairman, Dr. E. T. Etefia the Secretary and other
members were Dr. (Chief) Albert Odjegba, a past Chairman of the State
Hospitals Management Board and Dr. Anthony Ebinum, a past Director of
Hospitals Services/ Chief Executive of the same Board. The Ugborikoko
stakeholders meeting turned out to be the watershed for genuine peace,
reconciliation, foundation for progress and development in the Delta
State NMA.
The Caretaker Committee embarked on wide consultations of all
stakeholders and organized an AGM at Jabin Olori Hotel Ughelli on 22
July 2000. The AGM was aptly christened the Millennium AGM. Keenly
contested but less acrimonious elections took place. Dr. R. W. Ejifoma
was returned as the Chairman, while Dr Ken Ebonwu became the Secretary.
The other elected members of the Millennium BOC were Drs. R. U. N.
Enebeli (Vice Chairman), L. O. Esenwa (Deputy Secretary), C. P. U.
Ogbodu (Treasurer), Caroline Ajuyah (Financial Secretary) and A. C.
Ojumah (Publicity/Social Secretary). Dr. L. O. Esenwa later resigned and
Dr. U. C. Afuba elected in 2001 to replace him as the Deputy Secretary.
This new spirit of association, activism and camaraderie led to another
peaceful and successful AGM in Asaba in July 2002. Three very popular
members, former zone chairmen and state officers fought doggedly for the
coveted office of the state chairman. They were the late Dr. Ogoni
Agbro Ohre of Asaba zone, Dr. Obaide Nwigwudu (Sapele zone) and Dr. Paul
Oweh of Isoko/Ndokwa zone. Dr. Ohre emerged the victor in what turned
out to be a keen battle supervised by Dr. E. E. Uduaghan.
The solid foundation on which the Delta State
Branch of the Nigerian Medical Association is built and the strides made
would not have been possible but for the sacrifices made by some
leaders and distinguished members. Worthy of mention are the followings:
Dr. A. E. Ideh, the pioneer Chairman popularly called “MR NMA”, His
Excellency, Dr. E. E. Uduaghan, the Governor of Delta State, Drs. V. A
Oraegbu, T. A. Alakpa, (Chief) R. W. Ejifoma, S. N. A. Idiaghe, S. U.
Odjoh, C. O. Agori-Iwe, Kagho-Omomadia , P. C. Obakponovwe, A. Odjegba,
T. E. A. Salubi and a host of others. These elders, leaders and men have
continued to be active, contributing to the growth of the body in
various ways and giving leadership directions to the younger ones. His
Excellency, Dr. E. E. Uduaghan rose from Commissioner for Health in
1999, Secretary to the State Government, to the exalted office of the
number one citizen of the state. He has become a beacon and reference
point for all Doctors in the state. Primarily by his effort and
influence, a host of Medical Doctors in Delta State have held and are
still holding political offices and positions. The existing cordial
relationship between the State Government and Doctors under her
employment since 1999 can be trace to his efforts at maintaining peace
and cordiality in the health sector. Special recognition must be given
to Dr. D. N. Maduemezia who over the years provided accommodation in his
property for the temporary secretariat. The conferment of the highest
state award of Roll of Honour on him at this year’s conference is apt.
:: Aims & Apparitions
1. To ensure that Medical and Dental Practitioners in the State and
Country uphold the physicians' Oath (i. e. the Declaration of Geneva)
which is the modern Hippocratic Oath.
2. To promote the advancement of Health & Allied Sciences in the State and Country.
3. To assist the government and people of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria in the provision of smooth, efficient and effective health care
delivery system in the State and Country.
4. To promote the welfare and interaction of all Medical and Dental practitioners in the State and Country.
5. To co-operate with organisations anywhere in the world which have similar aims and objectives.
6. To consider and express views on all proposed legislations and
national issues especially those affecting health care delivery system
and Medical & Dental education in Nigeria.