The Nigerian Medical Association has urged doctors to take the lead in the fight against quackery and unethical practices in Nigeria’s health sector, saying efforts to protect patients must begin with high professional standards.
NMA President, Prof. Afekhide Omoti, made the call in Abuja on Wednesday at the association’s First Ordinary National Executive Council meeting of its 2026 National Officers’ Committee.
The meeting, which brought together medical practitioners, senior members of the profession, government officials and other stakeholders, was themed, “Transforming Healthcare Practice in Nigeria: Building Trust, Accountability and Collaborative Excellence.”
Omoti said quackery remained a major threat to patient safety and the credibility of Nigeria’s healthcare system, but stressed that doctors must also examine their own conduct.
“The fight against quackery must remain a major priority. But while we fight external threats, we must also uphold the highest ethical standards within our own profession,” he said.
The NMA president said Nigeria’s healthcare system was at a crossroads, citing rapid technological advancement, changing disease patterns, rising patient expectations, shortages of healthcare workers, migration of professionals and growing concerns about patient safety.
He said rebuilding public confidence in the health system would require more than confronting quackery, stressing the importance of trust, accountability, professional excellence and collaboration.
The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Dr. Emeka Ayogu, said professional standards and teamwork were critical to patient safety, public trust and integrity in healthcare.
“Standards define how we should practise, and teamwork defines how we practise together to deliver the outcomes we all want,” Ayogu said.
He said both areas were interconnected and had significant implications for the health and wellbeing of Nigerians.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the NMA Federal Capital Territory, Dr. George Ebong, described the association as more than a professional body, saying its members were united by service, sacrifice and commitment to humanity.
Ebong pledged the support of the FCT branch to the Omoti-led national leadership, particularly in advancing doctors’ welfare and professional excellence.
The NEC meeting is also expected to deliberate on doctors’ welfare, professional development, healthcare policy and the future direction of medical practice in Nigeria.
The NMA’s renewed focus on ethics comes amid persistent concerns over quackery, poor regulation, workforce shortages, migration of health professionals and declining public confidence in healthcare institutions.
The association maintains that stronger regulation and enforcement are needed to tackle unqualified practitioners, while doctors must also uphold ethical standards, accountability and patient-centred care within the formal healthcare system.
Comments
Add a comment