Borno Doctors, BOSCHMA Collaborate to Strengthen Healthcare Leadership and Recovery

By Ali Mohammed Zanna, Maiduguri

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Borno State Branch, in collaboration with the Borno State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (BOSCHMA), has organised a leadership retreat to strengthen professional leadership, promote collaboration and improve healthcare delivery across the state.

The retreat brought together stakeholders in the health sector to examine challenges affecting medical services, explore opportunities for professional development and develop strategies for rebuilding Borno’s healthcare system after years of insurgency.

The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Professor Baba Mallam Gana, said the Borno State Government had prioritised maternal and newborn healthcare through free medical services and innovative interventions introduced under Governor Babagana Umara Zulum.

He said the interventions included MAMI, a postpartum haemorrhage programme and the Safer Birth Bundle of Care initiative, collectively described by the state as a “bundle of bundles” to reduce maternal and newborn deaths.

According to the commissioner, the pilot Safer Birth Bundle of Care programme had reduced maternal deaths by 54 per cent and stillbirths by 68 per cent across four facilities: State Specialist Hospital, Wurgum Maternity, Yerwa Clinic and Malake Children Clinic.

He said the government was expanding the programme to more facilities outside Maiduguri, with the aim of extending its benefits to all 27 local government areas.

On healthcare workers’ attendance and professional commitment, Professor Gana said the government was considering electronic monitoring alongside engagement and disciplinary measures to ensure that medical personnel remained available to patients in public hospitals.

He acknowledged the contributions of doctors and other healthcare professionals during the insurgency but expressed concern about the conduct of a few personnel allegedly neglecting their duties in public facilities.

The commissioner reaffirmed the government’s readiness to collaborate with the NMA and other stakeholders to strengthen healthcare services across the state.

NMA Raises Concern Over Doctors’ Exclusion From Promotion Exercise

Meanwhile, the NMA leadership in Borno State has expressed concern over the complete omission of medical doctors from the state establishment’s recent promotion and transfer exercise, which reportedly involved more than 100 other state civil servants. The association’s concern raises questions about career progression and the recognition of doctors’ contributions to the state’s healthcare system.

NMA, BOSCHMA Explore Leadership and Healthcare Recovery

As part of the retreat, Dr Saleh Abba Kaza presented a paper on “Identifying Socio-Political Opportunities Beyond the Hospital,” focusing on the importance of understanding the wider social and political environment in which medical professionals operate.

The presentation highlighted the need for doctors to engage beyond clinical practice by contributing to policy discussions, building partnerships and identifying opportunities to influence healthcare development.

Professor Bukar Bakki also presented a paper titled “Beyond Survival: NMA Leading the Health Sector Recovery in Borno State.”

The paper examined the role of the medical association in moving the state’s healthcare system beyond crisis management towards sustainable recovery, professional development and improved service delivery.

The presentations formed part of broader discussions on strengthening medical leadership, improving collaboration among healthcare professionals and supporting the recovery of health services affected by years of insurgency.

NMA Pledges Stronger Professional Standards

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the NMA, Borno State Branch, Dr Kaka Mahdi Ghazali, said the retreat was organised following the association’s recent election to strengthen leadership capacity, improve professional standards and develop practical strategies for better healthcare delivery.

He said the new leadership was committed to expanding access to healthcare while urging the public to understand the challenges doctors face, including shortages of medical personnel and an unfavourable doctor-to-patient ratio.

Ghazali stressed the importance of adherence to the Physician’s Pledge, which commits doctors to serving humanity, respecting human life, protecting patient confidentiality and placing patients’ health and wellbeing above other considerations.

He said medical practitioners must provide care without discrimination, uphold professional dignity, maintain ethical standards and continue sharing knowledge to improve healthcare outcomes.

On medical quackery, the chairman said the NMA had established an anti-quackery committee to identify and report individuals practising medicine illegally.

He explained that the committee works with the Borno State Ministry of Health, particularly the Directorate of Medical Services, and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to investigate reported cases and ensure that appropriate sanctions are imposed.

Ghazali added that the association had revised its bylaws and core values to strengthen its commitment to professional standards and better service to members and the public.

He said standing committees covering emergency preparedness, workforce development, healthcare financing, members’ welfare, ethics and governance would support the association’s activities and strengthen collaboration with the government.

Insurgency’s Impact on Healthcare

Discussions at the retreat also highlighted the impact of the 16-year insurgency on Borno’s healthcare system, including the destruction of medical infrastructure and the loss of doctors and other health professionals.

Participants noted that government interventions had supported the sector’s recovery, including the recruitment of 65 doctors on full salaries with annual bonuses, the commissioning of Kashim Ibrahim Teaching Hospital and plans for a paediatric hospital.

They also highlighted ongoing efforts to train doctors, nurses, midwives and other healthcare workers, alongside the establishment and approval of additional health training institutions to address personnel shortages.

Maternal mortality, neonatal deaths and severe acute malnutrition, particularly in northern Borno, were identified as continuing challenges requiring sustained government action and stronger partnerships among healthcare professionals.

The NMA chairman said the association would establish mechanisms to monitor the implementation of resolutions reached at the retreat through clinical governance, stressing that professional accountability would apply to all members.

He said the association would ensure that the resolutions and recommendations from the retreat translated into practical actions to improve healthcare delivery across Borno State.