Pastor Umo Eno Tasks NMA on Restoring Professional Integrity

Worried by perceived negative portrayals of the medical profession in Nigeria, especially in the movies, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Pastor Umo Eno has urged the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to correct the very false and evil
impression that doctors will not treat patients except they pay a deposit fund.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 34th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference (AGM/SC) of Akwa Ibom State Branch of the Association, the commissioner said such perception was capable of injuring the reputation of the medical profession if not quickly corrected.

Pastor Eno, who was the chairman of the occasion, called for serious reorientation of the public and partnership with the Nigerian film industry, Nollywood to erase scenes depicting the profession in negative light out of their storylines.

He thanked the NMA for their sacrifices since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, stressing that medical practitioners were at the forefront and contributed immensely in the fight against the pandemic.

The commissioner appreciated NMA for standing by Governor Udom Emmanuel in the fight against the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic adding that without the God-given wisdom on the medical practitioners, it would have been disastrous for humanity.

He recounted with admiration, the conviviality of medical doctors at the isolation centres and generally, in attending to their patients, emphasising that doctors are truly the people’s friend.

He called on the NMA to continue to partner government and support the Governor Emmanuel-led administration to achieve his completion agenda.

While commending the association for choosing him as chairman of the occasion despite his none medical background, he reminded them to remain tenacious to their Hippocratic oath.

Earlier in his speech, the Akwa Ibom State Chairman of NMA, Dr. Ime Sylvester Udoh, said the AGM affords them the opportunity to evaluate the events of the last year and
chart a way forward for the medical profession, adding that it also presents them with the privilege of presenting leadership scorecard before the members.

He commended some prominent Akwa Ibom people, especially Pastor Umo Eno for their support to the association especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Ime noted that the choice of Pst Umo Eno as their chairman was in recognition of his continuous support to the body, saying “when you look through the profile of our chairman, it readily becomes very evident why he was specially chosen to play this role – the congruence in values.

“Colleagues, permit me to give your memory a little task. Recall that at the height of the 1st wave of the
COVID-19 pandemic, Pastor Umo Eno, as a private citizen, which he then was, was
one of the few who came to the aid of NMA by donating personal protective
equipment which the association shared to members. Sir, your gift saved lives- the lives of doctors and their patients alike,” he added.

He commended Governor Emmanuel for always coming through for doctors in the state and beyond and prayed for God’s blessings upon the governor and his family.