The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Anambra state chapter, has concluded its 2019 annual scientific conference, general meeting, award and fund raising ceremony with a call for more improved health services in Anambra state and Nigeria at large.The event which took place at the Golden Tulip Agulu Lake Hotels, Anaocha Council Area with the theme, ‘State of Healthcare in Anambra State; Past, Present and Future’, attracted medical doctors from across the state. 

 In his address, the state Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association, Dr. Emma Monago while comparing and contrasting the past and present situation of health services in the state, rated Governor Willie Obiano led administration high in health interventions and policies geared towards providing the residents with advanced healthcare services and called for more improvement.

Dr. Monago commended Governor Obiano for supporting the vision and plan of the state NMA to erect a secretariat that will also accommodate a world class cancer treatment center which according to him will not only provide  cancer patients  with quality treatment, but will put to an end, medical tourism.

 Also speaking, a onetime National President of the NMA, who was honoured with an award of excellence during the event, Dr. George Okpagu, who pointed out that health should be the priority of every government, expressed satisfaction with the pace of improvement in the state Health Sector with emphasis on the oxygen plant recently launched by Governor Obiano at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital Amaku, Awka. 

While observing that before now there was no quality healthcare delivery, appropriate documentation and good health financing in the state,  the Vice Chairman of the state NMA, Dr. Jide Onyekwelu, who commended the present administration for instituting the Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme which according to him, enables people especially the indigent ones gain more access to quality healthcare, urged the state government to develop a better model that would encourage more Ndi Anambra to key into the scheme.

 Some of the participants, including Doctors Jude Mgbemena, and Ezinne Nwaneli described this year’s event as fruitful as it has helped them exchange views and map out plans on how to serve the society better as health givers.The event featured award presentations and launching for the proposed NMA state secretariat.