NMA demands rebate on customs duties for medical supplies

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Citing the altruistic character of healthcare operations, the Rivers State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has demanded interest-free bank loans for medical services and a refund on customs fees for medical equipment.

At the association’s annual general meeting on Thursday, Doctor Ebi Robinson, the immediate past state chairman of the NMA, made this call. He noted that the devaluation of the naira has caused a more than 100% increase in the cost of medical supplies, but health maintenance organisations, or HMOs, have not increased payments in line with the rising costs, leaving private medical facilities shortchanged.

According to him: “We still have challenges with drastic manpower shortages, human capital flight, insecurity, multiple taxation and recently the electricity tariff hike.

“The association demands a rebate on the cost of duties for medical equipment, interest-free loan for medical and healthcare-related services from banks, knowing too well that medical and health-related practices are fundamentally charitable and render essential services.

“Let me also mention again that the reducing value of the naira comparatively to the dollar has increased the cost of medical supplies to over 100 per cent.

“However, actors in the health finance corridor like the HMOs have not been able to concomitantly increase the payment for services in keeping with the present reality, thereby shortchanging the proprietors of private medical facilities.”

Doctor Robinson urged medical practitioners to uphold high standards of practice.

He said: “As we convey for this annual general meeting, let us affirm our dedication to uphold to the highest standard of medical practice, advocating for improved health care and fostering professional development within our association.

“I am emphatically confident that through constructive advocacy dialogue and collaboration, we can chart a part towards sustainable progress in the healthcare delivery system in the state and, by extension, to the country at large.”

Governor Sim Fubara was the honoured guest for the occasion, and he was highly acknowledged for his developmental efforts in the state and his kindness towards NMA.

“I want to also appreciate the faces of NMA Rivers State, medical elders that are here present. I also want to sincerely appreciate the Commissioner for Health, Doctor Adaeze Oreh,” he added.

New NMA leadership was inaugurated at the annual general meeting, which had as its theme “Reversing the Trend of Healthcare: Brain Drain” and was attended by physicians from all around the state.

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