Minister mourns tragic death of doctors

Adewole while commiserating with the President, National Executive Council and the entire membership of the Nigerian Medical Association, over the loss of 6 senior medical doctors that died in a ghastly motor accident along Kaduna road on the 24th April 2016, while on their way to attend the 56th Annual Conference and General Delegates Meeting of NMA in Sokoto said he was still on shock.

In a statement signed by a Director of Press, Baode Akinola on 25 April, 2016, the Minister said: "Our prayers is that almighty God in his infinite mercy will give the family, friends and the entire members of NMA the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. To the survivors, our prayers are that they will recover soon and get integrated into their normal daily activities. The Federal Ministry of Health is in constant touch with the leadership of the NMA so that the survivors of the accident could get the best healthcare service. I am using this medium thank the leadership of the NMA especially those at the scene of accident in Kaduna who were involved in the evacuation of both the survivors and the deceased."

"We also appreciate the outpouring of emotions and greetings from friends, organisations and agencies on this unfortunate incident," the minister said.

At the emergency meeting of the National Officers’ Committee (NOC) meeting held at 7.00am on Monday, April 25, 2016 at Giginya Coral Hotel Sokoto, the medical association had released the number of the people killed in the auto crash in Kaduna.

Meanwhile, at the emergency meeting of the National Officers’ Committee (NOC) meeting held at 7.00am on Monday 25th April, 2016 at Giginya Coral Hotel Sokoto, the medical association released the number of the people killed in the auto crash in Kaduna.

A statement signed by Dr. Kayode Obembe and Dr. Adewunmi Alayaki , National President and Secretary General respectively the Medical Association said as a follow-up to their earlier statement issued by NOC on Sunday, April 24, 2016, "it is now confirmed that the Ekiti State delegates for the Annual General Conference/Annual Delegates Meeting (AGC/ADM) currently holding in Sokoto, were involved in a fatal motor accident along Abuja-Kaduna Expressway."

"Six of our members and the driver have been confirmed dead and these are their names: Dr. Alex Akinyele – Secretary NMA Ekiti, Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Ido Ekiti, Dr. Tunde Aladesanmi – General Surgeon, FTH, Ido Ekiti, Dr. O.J. Taiwo – Anatomic Pathologist, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti, Dr. Ogunseye J.B – National Association of General and Government Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP) National Secretary, Hospital Management Board (HMB), Ekiti, Dr. Olajide .O – Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), EKSUTH President, Dr. Atolani Adeniyi – Secretary NAGGMDP, Ekiti State, and Mr. Ajibola – NMA Ekiti Driver.”

"Other members of the delegates who survived the accident are in stable condition and are receiving medical attention under the auspices of the Chairman of the Kaduna State NMA and his team. The bereaved families have been contacted and arrangements are in motion to convey the bodies back to Ekiti State. NOC have sent its representatives to Kaduna for on the spot assessment and compliment the effort of the Kaduna team."

The statement said while the conference continues, the NOC has directed all doctors to observe one week of mourning from Tuesday 26th to Tuesday 3rd of May, 2016.

"Every doctor should put on black band on the left arm over white overall. NMA is in contact with the bereaved families and burial arrangements will be communicated in due course. May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace. We pray that the Almighty God gives the bereaved and all our Hippocratic families the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss."