Nigerian Medical Association

The NMA (Nigerian Medical Association) is the largest professional association in the Western African sub-region with over 40,000 members from 36 state divisions and the branch from the federal capital territory with approximately about 19,000 in Diaspora. 70 percent of doctors practice in urban areas where only 30% of the population resides. The population of Nigeria is about 160million. The NMA was formed in 1951 and is located in Abuja with over 30 branch offices throughout Nigeria. Policy conclusions are made by the Association’s National Executive Council (NEC) which is the governing body. The constitution of NMA is highest and its provisions shall have binding force on all organs, authorities, branches and associates of the Association and, where applicable, on any other persons. Any Act CAP 221 Laws of the federation of Nigeria (1990) and as consequently amended shall have a right of participation of the Association on payment of the yearly practicing fee in the said Act as may be reviewed from time to time, unless otherwise prescribed herein in the constitution. The National Executive Council is the governing body of the Association and has full powers to act on its behalf in the time period between the Annual Delegates’ Meetings in accordance with the provisions of the Structure of the Association unless otherwise stated in the constitution. Although the Association is involved in many various governments’ activities, it is referred formally by the government only on an ad-hoc’ basis. It is not referred ad ‘of right’ on health issues and has to press for its participation. The Association appoints eleven associates of the Medical & Dental Council of Nigeria which controls the practice of medicine & dentistry in Nigeria and the courses of its medical schools. The NMA is at present involved in prompting health policy formulation in an ad hoc manner. This is done by making unwanted recommendations to government on various health issues and also by making-inputs, every time invited, to some of the nationwide committee meetings on policy formulations. The Association organizes training courses for doctors, and participates in TV talk shows and radio programmes. It has several present projects including those on primary health care, on AIDS and on family planning.