Medical Practitioners Urge NJC to Restore Trust in Justice Delivery

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP) has advised the National Judicial Council (NJC) and other relevant bodies to restore Nigerians trust in justice delivery by addressing the various concerns marring the nation’s judicial system.

In a communique issued at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at Osogbo in Osun State, and signed by its Deputy Secretary General, Dr. Anas Idris, stated that the masses needs to increase their trust on the “last hope of the people.”

The health workers said their advice followed the worrying concern about the conduct of some judicial officers and the increasing public distrust on the judiciary in recent times.

They said streamlining the carriage of justice by the judicial office holders is urgently needed to renew public trust in the judiciary.

The NEC, which was presided over by the National President of the Association, Dr. Sofiri  Peterside, was themed: “work related hazards among doctors,  a neglected cause of morbidity and mortality.”

Also, the association said it was worrisome that some state governments effect promotions without the consequential financial implementations and are yet to pay attention to the welfare issues of their members in the affected States despite serious commitments and advocacy visits by the leadership of the association.

The association, however, proposed a Generalists Allowance (GA)  for General Duty Doctors and a need to present it to the federal government for implementation in order to appreciate the herculean role played by their members.

The NEC commended the efforts of some state governments who have domesticated payment of Medical Residency Training Fund to resident doctors under the employ of state government, skipping, hazard allowance and payment of subsidy removal palliation funds.

It further encouraged other state governments to oblige in order to mitigate the ongoing brain drain and reduce the inflicting economic hardship.

Parts of the observation noted by the health workers are that “NEC decried the recent wavering instances by the judiciary and humbly advised the National Judicial Council and other relevant bodies to urgently address the various concerns of the masses by streamlining the carriage of justice by judicial office holders across the board, as this is urgently needed to renew public trust in the judiciary.”