Modupe Gbadeyanka
Imo State Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) at the weekend honoured Deputy Governor of the state, Mr Gerald Irona, with a Meritorious Service Award.
This recognition was done at a ceremony to mark the grand finale of the association’s 2019 Physician’s Week celebration held in Owerri last Sunday. The 2019 Physicians’ Week, with the theme Care of the Unknown Patient: An Overview, had “curbing the increasing trend of suicide in Nigeria: the role of NMA and the Doctor as an Entrepreneur as sub themes.
Chairman of Imo State Chapter of the group, Dr Kyrian Duruewuru, commended the Governor Emeka Ihedioha-led administration for his timely resolution of the industrial disagreement between resident doctors in the state and the state government, a challenge inherited from the last administration.
He pledged the commitment of the association to continue to live up to expectations in the discharge of their duties.
Dr Duruewuru also used the occasion to pour encomiums on the Deputy Governor on the leadership role he played in resolving the industrial dispute between members of NMA and the state government, describing him as a good friend of the association.
In his remarks, the Deputy Governor charged medical practitioners in the state to always uphold the ethics of the profession.
Mr Irona, represented by his Senior Special Assistant, Media and Communications, Dr Walter Duru, also called on stakeholders to continue to support the administration of Mr Ihedioha to move the state forward. He further urged them to take steps to rid the medical profession of quacks.
Other beneficiaries of the NMA Meritorious and Distinguished Medical Practitioners Award were former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Maurice Iwu; Dr Barthy Okorochukwu; Emeh Chukwuemeka; Dr Josephat Nnebo and Mr Richards Abarakwe.
