Francis Faduyile, the immediate past president of the Nigerian Medical Association, on Saturday in Ilorin, called on Nigerian doctors to play active part in politics. 

Mr Faduyie made the call in his paper presentation at the Scientific Conference of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH).

The programme, which is part of activities to mark the 38th Annual General Meeting of the association, is themed: “Nigeria’s Health Sector Predicament and the Onus of Medical Doctors in Politics”.

Faduyile, who is a professor of Pathology, urged doctors to engage more in politics, adding that doing so would help the health sector through provision of infrastructure and management of human resources.

The expert stated that the health sector as a critical sector, requires robust participation of key stakeholders, the custodian of people’s health, at political front.

“Doctors wish to save as many lives as possible, we want to inspire medical doctors to better leverage the political strength during the pandemic and beyond,” he said.

He asserted that experts can use their rich knowledge to implant reforms, which can also favour their profession.

Mr Faduyile therefore advised doctors to get registered in political parties.

Earlier in his welcome address, Badmus Habeeb, the President of ARD-UITH, warned that the internal wrangling between the NMA and the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) poses a threat to doctors welfare. 

He also said there was a need for doctors to occupy more vantage positions in political leadership and the healthcare system of the country.

(NAN)