COUNTDOWN TO 2015 : NMA RECOMMEDS PSYCHIATRIC TEST TO NIGERIAN POLITICIANS

The Nigerian Medical Association has advised that all politicians seeking for public offices in the next general elections be made to undergo psychiatric test to determine the state of their mental health. The NMA recommended this in a communique at the end of the National Executive Council meeting in Jos. The communique was read by Dr Kayode Obembe, who said it had become necessary for politicians to undergo psychiatric test due to the manner of some politicians in the nation. The communique also said all psychiatric doctors had been advised to register with the Independent National Electoral Commission that will supervise such tests and all medical doctors to participate in the political process at all levels. On the issue of the NMA strike, the communique clarified issues saying NMA was not on strike, but would continue to keep services running and would not succumb to blackmail. Dr. Kayode Obembe, also advised medical practioners to register as polling officers to assist INEC to conduct free and fair elections. The communique expressed reservations at the level of services in the health care delivery, which had been compounded by the unhealthy power tussle among the medical practitioners. The communique frowned upon the selective treatment of doctors by the Lagos State Government and demanded payment of doctors who participated in the last industrial action.