There has been quite a debate on the stamp that was introduced by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) about a month ago. Many practitioners were FOR it, as would have been expected while some weren't so supportive.
We decided to make thoughts known about it just in case you didn't take it serious or just shoved it aside.
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has said the launching of the Nigerian Doctor’s Stamp, is a way of nipping quackery.
We quoted the NMA thus "Once you’re a verifiable Nigerian Doctor, ask and you shall be given.” The association also expressed positivity that it'll work.
This innovation which was been endorsed by the health minister,
Prof Isaac Adewole, is said to be easily accessible and very affordable.
To access the NMA Stamp, the doctor would be screened by the Zonal Chairman of the NMA, then the State Chairman would assent followed by final confirmation by national arm of the NMA.
We understand that there are 24 stamps per paper (A4 sized) at the cost of N50 each which comes to N1,200 and a minimum of 2 papers is what can be bought so that leaves you with 48 stamps at N2,400. We are urged to take action on this and support this innovation.
WHY IS THIS STAMP NECESSARY?
While this is a laudable and very welcome gesture, it is however, not enough to end quackery in the Nigerian health sector seeing how deep it has eaten into the roots just the same way corruption threatens our democracy, but it's a very BIG step in the right direction.
The stamps are quite affordable but then we can't shy away from the fact that some people are negative about progress and will only look at this as an avenue of revenue generation for the NMA, when in actual essence, we are preserving what is ours. It will definitely be worthwhile to look at and keenly consider the positives.
If you visit the NYSC orientation camps, and behold the sort of medical reports that are brought along, some even from Government owned hospitals which claim all sorts of medical conditions (it's hard to believe some doctors actually signed off on them), you will realize the pitiable state our sector is in and why such a call and move as this is not only welcome, but also very timely.
ISSUES OF CONCERN/ OUR SUBMISSION
If we critically examine the cases of quackery, it would be noticed that its effect are felt much more in the private health sector/centers in serious life threatening cases and not really in situations where medical reports are or will be needed.
Below is a picture of how the stamp looks, plus the Launching signing of both the Minister of health and the Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
A critical look at the stamp tells one that counterfeiting the stamp might not be very hard seeing as an ultraviolet light would be needed to check for the added security features. So we would be hoping the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) get to look more into this. If this will really be used to checkmate illegal medical activities and fake medical reports.
Furthermore, what happens to qualified doctors that refuse to sign up for the stamp? Will their license be seized? These and some other questions haven't been answered yet but we believe it shouldn’t be an issue since a cross section of doctors that responded to the stamp issue were ecstatic about the fact that the NMA is taking steps towards tackling quackery in the health sector. However, the question still remains if the NMA stamp will be enough to combat this problem especially seeing as there's still plenty room for improvement.
One thing for sure is that this is a good and big step in the right direction.
What are your thoughts, submissions about this? Kindly share.