The Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, has advocated for psychiatric examination for all intending elective political office holders, based on recent behaviour exhibited by some politicians.
This was contained in a communiqué, read by the national President, Kayode Obembe at the just concluded National Executive Council, NEC, meeting held in Jos, Plateau state.
According to him, the politicians’ behaviour has the potential to overheat the polity especially when the nation is preparing for the 2015 general elections.
“Candidate must be certified mentally fit to vie for elective positions. Health certificate should be criteria for consideration and Psychiatric hospitals should register with the NMA for the purpose of having access to examination centres by politicians”, he declared. Commenting on the Impeachment threat by the national assembly, the NMA cautioned politicians to tread softly as not to heat the polity.
The meeting christened the Jos declaration, also review other challenging Health issues and the current power tussle among hospital personnel. As a result, he lamented the strike action that is ongoing by health workers, noting that ” our members are not on strike despite strike by others. We shall continue to render services and won’t give in to cheap blackmail from any quarters”
The “Nigeria healthcare delivery system is currently facing an unprecedented crisis that has never been seen or imagine in the history of our nationhood,” he said.He noted with regrets the “politicization of health polices and decisions have brought chaos and its attendant ills on our healthcare delivery system.”
