NMA Urges Doctors Fight Quackery Nigeria: Prioritize Ethics

• The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has urged doctors to lead the fight against quackery and unethical practices to protect patients and uphold professional standards.
• NMA President Prof. Afekhide Omoti made this call at the First Ordinary National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, emphasizing both external vigilance against quackery and internal ethical conduct.
• The initiative addresses persistent concerns including unqualified practitioners, poor regulation, workforce shortages, and declining public confidence in Nigeria's healthcare system.
• The NMA stressed that rebuilding public trust requires not only confronting quackery but also fostering accountability, professional excellence, and collaboration.
• This renewed focus on ethics and enforcement aims to combat unsafe treatments by unqualified individuals and strengthen the credibility of legitimate medical professionals.

The NMA has pinpointed quackery and professional misconduct as substantial threats, not only to patient safety medical sector Nigeria but also to the overall credibility of the nation's health system.

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has issued a strong directive to medical practitioners across the nation, urging them to spearhead efforts against quackery and unethical practices prevalent in the health sector. This significant call, made by NMA President Prof. Afekhide Omoti, emphasizes that safeguarding patients necessitates maintaining the most rigorous professional standards within the medical community itself. The pronouncement underscores a critical focus on internal integrity as a foundation for external vigilance.

Prof. Omoti delivered this message in Abuja during the First Ordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the NMA's new National Officers’ Committee for 2026, held on a Wednesday. The gathering convened a diverse group of stakeholders, including medical practitioners, senior members of the profession, and government officials, all united under the theme, “Transforming Healthcare Practice in Nigeria: Building Trust, Accountability and Collaborative Excellence.” This pivotal meeting signals the NMA's renewed commitment to tackling systemic issues within Nigeria's healthcare landscape, with a clear directive that the NMA urges doctors fight quackery Nigeria.

He further underscored that while combating quackery remained a primary objective, medical professionals were equally obligated to scrutinize their own conduct and adhere to the most stringent ethical benchmarks within their field. This dual approach highlights the association's recognition that the fight for patient safety and public trust must be waged on both external and internal fronts.

The NMA's urgent appeal comes amidst persistent and widespread concerns regarding the quality and safety of healthcare delivery throughout Nigeria. These issues encompass the activities of unqualified practitioners, instances of unethical conduct, inadequate regulatory oversight, significant workforce shortages, and the ongoing migration of health professionals. Such challenges have collectively contributed to a noticeable decline in public confidence in healthcare institutions.

Specifically, the Nigerian Medical Association has pinpointed quackery and professional misconduct as substantial threats, not only to patient safety medical sector Nigeria but also to the overall credibility of the nation's health system. These issues undermine the trust essential for effective healthcare provision and expose vulnerable patients to potentially dangerous and ineffective treatments. The NMA's stance signals a heightened focus on healthcare quackery regulation Nigeria and the enforcement of professional standards.

Prof. Omoti articulated that Nigeria’s healthcare system currently stands at a critical juncture, facing immense pressure from rapid technological advancements, evolving disease patterns, increasing patient expectations, and persistent shortages of healthcare workers. The migration of skilled professionals further exacerbates these challenges, intensifying concerns about patient safety and the system's capacity to deliver quality care.

Rebuilding public confidence, according to Prof. Omoti, demands more than merely confronting quackery; it fundamentally requires cultivating trust, accountability, professional excellence, and collaborative efforts across the sector. This comprehensive vision aligns with the meeting's overarching theme, emphasizing that a holistic approach is necessary to elevate the standard of medical practice.

Dr. Emeka Ayogu, who chaired the Local Organising Committee for the NEC meeting, reinforced this perspective, stating that the focus on professional standards and team-based care is absolutely critical for ensuring patient safety, fostering public trust, and upholding professional integrity. He elaborated that established standards dictate how medical professionals should practice, while teamwork defines how they collaborate to achieve desired patient outcomes. These two interconnected elements, he noted, carry profound implications for the health and wellbeing of all Nigerians.

Further support for the NMA's direction came from Dr. George Ebong, Chairman of the NMA Federal Capital Territory branch. He characterized the Nigerian Medical Association as more than just a professional body, highlighting its members' unity through service, sacrifice, and a deep commitment to humanity. Dr. Ebong pledged the FCT branch's full support to the Omoti-led national leadership, particularly in advancing doctors’ welfare and promoting professional excellence, reinforcing the emphasis on Nigerian Medical Association ethics.

The NMA's renewed emphasis on ethical conduct and the fight against medical professional misconduct Nigeria is set against a backdrop of longstanding concerns about quackery within the country's health sector. Unqualified individuals and improperly trained practitioners continue to pose significant risks, exposing patients to unsafe treatments and eroding public trust in legitimate healthcare providers. This context makes the NMA's current drive particularly timely and crucial.

The association’s leadership has made it clear that while stronger regulation and enforcement mechanisms are indispensable for effectively tackling quackery, medical professionals themselves bear a fundamental responsibility. They must consistently uphold ethical standards, ensure accountability, and prioritize patient-centred care within the formal healthcare system. This dual strategy aims to fortify the medical profession from within while protecting it from external threats.

Beyond these immediate concerns, the NEC meeting also served as a vital platform for deliberating on broader issues affecting the medical community. Discussions encompassed the welfare of doctors, ongoing professional development initiatives, critical healthcare policy matters, and charting the future direction of medical practice in Nigeria, all contributing to the overarching goal of transforming the nation's healthcare landscape.

Lawyers advising medical professionals and healthcare institutions in Nigeria should note the NMA's renewed emphasis on ethical conduct and the fight against quackery. This signals a potential for increased regulatory scrutiny, stricter enforcement of professional standards, and a higher risk of disciplinary actions for non-compliant practitioners, necessitating a review of internal compliance frameworks.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH Healthwise