The Federal Government on Tuesday directed medical doctors to treat emergencies including gun-shot victims without requesting for police clearance or other restraints. Prof. Isaac Adewole, the Minister of Health, gave the order at the swearing in ceremony of 342 foreign trained medical doctors and six dentistry graduates in Abuja.

The foreign graduates were successful in the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) assessment held from April 6 to 8, which enables them to practice in the country. Adewole urged them to treat patients on emergency before asking for money, adding that life is more precious than money. He further advised them to continually practice within the limit of their competence and imbibe global best practice to better their lots in the profession.

“Hospitals are sanctuary for the sick and injured, never must our hospitals be closed for whatever reasons; even in war time situations, hospital must remain open.

“Doctors must show no restraint in treating emergencies, even with gun-shot wounds you must treat them, thereafter raise questions.

“You must also treat emergencies before asking for money because life is more precious than money,” he said.

Adewole, who noted some of the challenges in the profession to include lack of adequate places for internship programmes, however, assured of government commitment to fund the programme. The ministry said that the nation was in dire need of more human resources to cater for the health needs of the increasing population.

He, however, assured of government’s efforts at collaborating with key stakeholders to ensure effective distribution and financing the training programme.

“The Federal Ministry of Health has strategically identified and mapped out a number of key activities to ensure that Nigeria reverses the ills and failures in the healthcare system.

“Training of prospective and qualified healthcare professionals is one of the key agenda of the present administration.

“On receiving your registration certificates and licenses, you will proceed to your internship training at any of the MDCN accredited centres.

“We are not unaware of some of the challenges some young doctors experienced in securing placement for internship.

“We are working assiduously to ensure that doctors eligible for internship training will no longer wait endlessly searching for centres to enrol for their training.

“With over hundred MDCN accredited internship centres among others, the ministry will work with key stakeholders to ensure effective distribution and financing of the training programme within the country.

“This will ensure that the perennial difficulties in securing internship programmes by the resident doctors will become history,’’ Adewole said. VANGUARD