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To address the challenges facing Nigeria’s healthcare sector, the Association of Catholic Medical Practitioners of Nigeria is urging federal and state governments to prioritize the well-being of health workers by creating a more conducive and supportive work environment.
During the Association of Catholic Medical Practitioners of Nigeria’s 18th Annual Conference and General Meeting in Nnewi, Anambra State, Dr. Matthew Ashikemi, the national president, emphasized the need for improved working conditions for healthcare professionals, urging governments to take action.
According to Dr. Ashikemi, Nigeria’s healthcare system is plagued by unfavorable working conditions that require swift attention to ensure the well-being of medical practitioners and quality care for patients.
Dr. Ashikemi’s address, ‘Integrating spirituality into practice: Exploring holistic approach and recognizing the spiritual nature of man’ skillfully unpacked the conference theme, revealing the profound impact of integrating spirituality into medical practice and the transformative power of holistic care.
He said, “We are saying that the Federal Government should take care of health workers, they should provide them with the things they need to work with for better service delivery.
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“They should also ensure that health workers’ welfare is addressed, that will take care of so many things.”
Dr. Ashikemi explained that the conference, which brought together medical professionals from all over Nigeria, aimed to empower participants to excel as healthcare providers and faithful Catholics, integrating their values and expertise.
He urged Catholic medical practitioners to be exemplary by making more efforts to worship God through service to people.
“The theme for this year’s conference is very apt in our contemporary world today
“Together with the sub-themes on Bioethics, Sudden Death Syndrome Strengthening the Health System, allows us to introspect, sober reflection and self-examine ourselves,” he added.
On his part, the Chairman ACMPN board of trustees, Prof. Michael Asuzu, said it was unfortunate that the country had continued to lose her professionals without efforts to address the trend.
Asuzu said the brain drain phenomenon would not end soon until the factors responsible for it were given the attention they deserved.
According to him, I will not stop anybody from going to where his life will be better but my advice is that they should keep an eye on Nigeria because we have to fix it.
“I approve any application that comes my way because, if such a person goes out and becomes better, his family and the country will be better for it, I can not allow any of my students to be stranded in the street,” he said.