As part of the activities slated to mark the year 2021 Biannual General Meeting of the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti (FETHI) Chapter, the medical experts on Wednesday presented a cheque of One Hundred Thousand Naira to the Indigent Patients Fund Initiative popularly called Alaanu Foundation, an initiative registered by the management of the hospital to cater for the less privileged clients.
This gesture was geared to offset the hospital bills of these financially incapacitated patients who storm the hospital on daily basis to assess quality and affordable health care services that the present hospital management had generously resolved never to deny any individual irrespective of his/her status.
The gift, which was presented to the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Adekunle Ajayi by the MDCAN Chairman, Dr Olakunle Babalola, was later handed over to the Chairman of the Foundation, Dr Onyema, who expressed gratitude to the donor on behalf of his team.
Dissecting this year theme, “Maximizing the potentials of medical practice in Nigeria in the face of COVID-19 pandemic” and sub-theme, “Investing in a rising inflation”, by Prof Adekunle Salaudeen (University of Ilorin/UITH) and Dr Damilola Edewusi (Ekiti Zonal Manager, WEMA Bank) respectively on Thursday, practitioners were urged to embrace the use of electronic information and telecommunication technology to get the health care needed while practicing social distancing with the use of a phone or device that has internet while protecting self and healthcare provider from COVID-19, and change line of business when necessary and reduce expenses if more incomes are not generated.
Prof Ajayi, who declared the BGM opened, thanked the participants and specially appreciated the presence of the invited guests despite the security challenges ravaging the country. He saluted the MDCAN for sustaining the system in this trying period of strike and pandemic, and urged the Association to bring normalcy into the system as elders and stakeholders.
In her welcome address, the LOC Chairman, Dr Olubunmi Lawal, welcomed participants to the meeting. She said, “It is in recognition of these daunting challenges brought upon us by COVID-19 pandemic and the need to salvage medical practice in Nigeria that we have selected the theme of this meeting”.
According to the MDCAN Chairman, “It is with great delight and honour that I welcome you all to the BGM of this noble and inspiring association. Our gratitude goes to the Almighty Creator that granted us His protection in all these journeys. The advent of virtual meetings however significantly reduced the risk and resources to the benefit of all. We must thank all members of staff, sister associations and the whole hospital community who have demonstrated noteworthy camaraderie in ensuring peaceful co-existence, joint and effective service delivery”.
The Chairman of the occasion, Dr Oluwafemi Thomas, a former Commissioner for Health in Ekiti State and Executive Secretary/CEO, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), urged practitioners to think out of the box by solving problems to make more money. He siad, “We have to maximise the opportunities around us. If you spend 40% of your income on the basic things of life, you are poor”.
Goodwill messages were presented by medical experts including the number one Doctor in the state, the NMA Chairman, Dr Ariyibi, who expressed confidence in the present leadership of the hospital. He said, “In all nooks and crannies of the hospital, we can see transformation and united MDCAN and even entire workforce”.
The distinguished guest speakers who had broadened the professional and business horizons of the attendees through their wealth of experiences and expertise were later honoured with Awards of Appreciation by the MDCAN.
The Chairman Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), Dr Idowu Adebara, Assistant Director (General Admin), Mr Abayomi Adeakin, Assistant Director, Information/Corporate Affairs Dept, Mr Bank-Akinnuoye, HODs, Consultants, Medical Students and some other management committee members also graced the occasion.