NMA INAUGURATES NEW ENUGU SECRETARIAT, CALLS FOR UNITY

The Nigerian Medical Association Enugu State branch on Monday unveiled its new state secretariat in Enugu as the outgoing leadership using the occasion to appeal for reconciliation within the association and urging members who had left during internal disagreements to return.

The event brought together senior medical practitioners, past leaders of the association and other stakeholders, who described the new office as a major institutional milestone for doctors in the state.

Speakers at the ceremony said the new secretariat symbolised not just the inauguration of a building but the strengthening of the association’s institutional capacity.

They called for greater unity among medical practitioners as the branch prepares for its Annual General Meeting and elections this weekend.

Chairman of the NMA, Enugu State Branch, Dr Sunday Okafor, said the association deliberately set out to provide a befitting administrative headquarters after discovering that the previous office was inadequate for the state’s umbrella body for medical doctors.

“When we came on board, NMA Enugu State operated from what is best described as a shop. It wasn’t befitting that this body would actually be using a shop extension,” Okafor said.

He explained that despite several challenges and internal disagreements encountered during the search for a permanent office, the administration remained focused on delivering the project.

“Along the line, while we were hunting for a befitting place, one of our affiliate bodies conducted itself in a manner that is not becoming of our profession. But as God would have it, our vision for a new secretariat materialised.

“Today, NMA Enugu State has a decent office space from where it can operate and continue the work of delivering quality healthcare services to our people.”

Okafor call for reconciliation within the association, saying the time had come for members who had distanced themselves from the organisation to reunite with colleagues in the interest of the medical profession.

“Every achievement recorded during this period has been possible because we worked together as one united family.

“I encourage us to sustain this spirit of unity beyond this administration. Our Association will always remain stronger when we place collective interest above personal interest,” he said.

The new secretariat was formally dedicated by the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Enugu, Professor Samuel Ike.

The bishop urged medical practitioners to uphold the ethical values of their profession and continue to render selfless service to humanity.

During a world press conference shortly after the inauguration, Okafor highlighted the theme of the association’s 2026 Annual General Meeting, titled, “Mitigating Health Workforce Migration in Nigeria: The Enugu State Experience.”

He described the migration of healthcare professionals from Nigeria as one of the country’s most pressing healthcare challenges, noting that the exodus of doctors and other health workers had continued to worsen manpower shortages across the country.

According to him, the consequences include increased workload for the remaining workforce, longer waiting times for patients, reduced quality of healthcare delivery and avoidable deaths.

“The NMA believes that this challenge requires coordinated action by governments, policymakers, professional bodies and development partners,” he said.