The Nigerian Medical Association has categorically denied allegations of bribery against medical doctors, reaffirming its commitment to upholding ethical and professional standards that foster public trust in the medical profession.
Dr. Babajide Saheed, Chairman of the NMA Lagos Zone, issued a statement on Sunday in Lagos, emphasizing the association’s dedication to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and professionalism in the medical field.
He said this while reacting to an online publication which alleged that “two-thirds of Nigerian doctors and nurses demand bribes before attending to patients.”
Saheed noted that the online media publication claimed to have drawn the report from a recent survey by the National Bureau of Statistics report titled, “Corruption in Nigeria: Pattern and Trends.”
He elaborated, “If the reporter had done due diligence, he/she would have realised that the respondents-based national survey of 33,035 households in the 36 States and FCT reported 4 per cent requests by or payments of bribes among doctors, nurses and midwives cluster.
“Despite having some reservations about the professionals’ clustering of doctors, nurses and midwives in the survey, we are still at a loss as to where the reporter got his or her two-third quoted figure.
“A whooping 67 per cent instead of the four per cent reported in the referenced NBS report.
“While we pledge to continue to give our best to our esteemed patients, we frown at any attempt to malign our hardworking and ever-sacrificing members,” he stated.
Dr. Saheed, the Chairman of NMA Lagos Zone, cautioned that the association will take legal action if necessary to protect the medical profession from harm.
He praised the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes for their joint effort to combat corruption in Nigeria and their bravery in releasing the third corruption survey.
The survey’s finding that over 70% of respondents refused to pay bribes requested by public officials was particularly encouraging, he noted.
“Meaning that Nigerians are increasingly empowered to confront and decline requests from bribe-seeking corrupt officials to do their work,” he noted.
Dr. Saheed, the Chairman, stressed that the medical community and its regulatory body, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, have a rigorous disciplinary process in place to address misconduct by members, and any wrongdoing will not be tolerated.
He expressed the NMA Lagos’ continued respect for the Nigerian media and declined to engage in a dispute with them. Instead, he requested that the publisher retract the damaging online report.
The Chairman proudly highlighted that Nigerian doctors are highly sought after globally, enjoying a strong reputation in the healthcare industry.
“Our work ethic is still top-notch despite the overwhelming workload caused by a grossly disproportionate doctor-to-patient ratio, exacerbated by abysmal remuneration and poor facilities,” he said.
Saheed explained that these factors had led to an exodus of its members seeking greener pastures.
