The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Plateau chapter, has promised free medical checkups and treatments for participants of the Senior Executive Course at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru.
Its Chairman, Dr Yilji Kumtap, made the promise when he led officials of the branch on a courtesy visit to NIPSS Director-General, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, on Friday in Jos.
Kumtap said that the gesture would also be extended to other members of the NIPSS community.
He said the visit was to discuss areas medical professionals could help participants and members of the NIPSS community to achieve their goals devoid of health concerns.
He recalled that while he was in NIPSS as a participant, he had access to the institute’s health facility.
“I found it of good standard, but more could be done.
“The NMA has the requisite manpower to provide specialist care to members of the community at no cost to the institute.
“Most health facilities in the country have shortage of manpower, but we can step in and fill the void.
“To have a better society, we need a healthy society. The NMA will, from time to time, bring specialists to check the health needs of members of the community.
“We also know the value of human capital development; being a research institute, we believe you can be of help to us.
“We want our members, who may be coming as self-sponsored participants, to get a rebate.
“The cost of the training, compared to what one benefits, is very little, but in view of the economic downturn, it is very high,” he said.
Prof. Omotayo, in his remarks, said that to achieve a better Nigeria, everyone must play his part.
The NIPSS boss stated that for people to play their part, they must be healthy because there was nothing they could do with failing health.
He pointed out that it was in realisation of such that fact that he upgraded facilities at the NIPSS health centre and also procured a blood count machine.
“We need specialists to be checking our participants whose average age is 52 years.
“They should be able to identify and treat ailments likely to breakdown a 50-year-old man or woman.
“What you offered to us is like manna from heaven; we will appreciate it if you come around at certain intervals to check on our participants.
“On the issue of rebate, we will look into it and see what we can do since you are also offering to assist us free of charge,” he stated. (NAN)
