The Provost, College of Health Sciences, University of Abuja, Professor Ekundayo Garba has advised Medical doctors to always adopt best global practices and prevent litigations if they are to continue to enjoy a successful Medical career. Prof. Garba gave the advise while addressing the 2018 Annual General Meeting of the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital Branch.
The Provost who was Chairman of the Scientific session said it was becoming worrisome that litigations arising from medical conduct were on the increase nation-wide. He said some of the litigations could have been avoided if practitioners adjusted to global best practices. The Provost stressed the urgent need for effective mentoring of younger doctors by senior fellows.
In a presentation on the theme: “Mentoring in Nigeria Medical Practice, the Role of Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria,” the President, West African College of Surgeons, Professor KingDavid Terna Yawe lamented the eroding practice of mentorship not only in the medical practice but also in other spheres of our national life. He said this was unarguably responsible for the failures being noticed in every strata of the society and called on leaders to see and take mentoring as a global responsibility.
Also in a paper on Litigation in Medical Practice: A rising trend, the Assistant Registrar and Head, Professional Discipline at the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Dr. Abdul Danjuma Enejo said litigations against doctors have been on the rise since 2013 adding that in one year, over eight hundred litigations were recorded. He attributed this to the increasing awareness of medical rights by clients and members of the public. To avoid litigations, he advised practitioners to adhere to global best practices such as obtaining appropriate consent and attending to patients promptly among others.
Earlier, the Chief Host and Chief Medical Director, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Professor Bissallah Ekele commended the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria, UATH Branch for coming up with such a theme which he said has far reaching implications on medical practice in the country. Professor Ekele charged the over one hundred and thirty consultants in the hospital to ensure that they dispense service always within the highest acceptable standard of medical practice.
In an address of welcome, the Chairman of MDCAN, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital Branch, Dr. Godwin Akaba said the choice of the 2018 AGM theme was to increase awareness on the place of mentorship and pitfalls in medical practice.