Ekiti Doctors: NMA Endows Fund for Deceased’s Families, Raises N24m

Olakiitan Victor in Ado Ekiti

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on Sartusday endowed a fund to take care of the families of the six doctors who perished in an auto crash along Kaduna road on April 24.

This came as NMA President, Prof. Mike Ogirima, urged the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency, initiate a 24-hour emergency rescue patrol on the country’s highways in order to ensure that victims of possible auto accidents have access to prompt and elaborate medical care.
Ogirima spoke in Ado-Ekiti during the National Endowment Fund raising for the bereaved families of the deceased doctors.

The NMA boss called for the prompt and robust medical attention against the background of the unwholesome development that attended the ill-fated trip in which the doctors lost their lives.

Also, the State chairman of NMA, Ekiti State chapter, Dr. John Akinbote, a survivor, said it took a long while before the rescue team came for them after the accident, and even when they did come, they lacked proper and elaborate medical kits to give proper medical treatment to the victims.

Akinbote said: “The crash actually exposed the inadequacies in our healthcare system. During the accident, some of those who died could have been saved had it been that prompt and adequate medical care were provided on time; for example, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) that came, their vehicle lacked basic medical kits to use for the victims.

“That is why the national President has called for the 24-hour emergency medical care and the need for the FRSC to ensure that they have elaborate and proper medical facilities and tools for accident victims in their emergency rescue vehicles.”
According to the national NMA boss, a sum of N15 million in cash was yesterday voted for the deceased’s families at the fund raising, and a sum of N9 million is being expected as part of the endowment fund.

He added that the money would be launched into a bank, and the signatories to each account would include, wives of the deceased, state chairman of Ekiti NMA as well as the Treasurer.
Ogirima said a cheque of N2 million would be paid into the accounts of each family of the deceased doctors to ensure that their wives and children are properly taken care of.

The unfortunate six doctors that lost their lives on May 24 while on their way to Sokoto for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the NMA included Dr. Tunde Aladesanmi, Dr. Ojo Taiwo, Dr. Akinyele Alex; Dr. Jide Ogunseye, Dr. Olayiwola Olajide, Dr. Adeniyi James, and a driver, Mr. Ajibola Olowookere.