Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Rivers State chapter has recognised the commitment and dedication of the chairman and chief executive officer of Moni Pulo Limited, Dr Seinye O.B. Lulu-Briggs, to the health and wellbeing of the most underserved across Nigerian communities with its highest individual award.
Dr Lulu-Briggs, who is also the chairman of the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation, a leading non-governmental organisation that has provided free medical treatment to over 144,500 people in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers states since 2005, was honoured with the NMA’s Roll of Honour Award and inducted as an honourary member recently in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The NMA’s Roll of Honour Award is the highest granted to individuals who have contributed massively to the development and advancement of health in Rivers State and the nation.
Her induction as an honourary member of the foremost medical association also attested to her collaborations with the body to give free medical care.
At the ceremony where entrepreneur, Mrs Valerie Young-Harry represented her, Dr Lulu-Briggs said she was grateful for the recognition from the body, the epitome of excellence in the medical field and a longstanding collaborator with her foundation.
She disclosed that NMA, Rivers State branch members have been part of the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation’s work in the health sector. Dr Lulu-Briggs said, “NMA, Rivers State Branch members have been worthy partners since we launched operations in September 2001, working on elder care and wellbeing. As we travelled across the state looking for vulnerable elders, our eyes were opened to the many people who lacked access to health services in our communities. We began hosting Free Medical Missions, providing free medical treatment, including surgeries, to vulnerable and neglected people.
“All of these couldn’t have happened without the diligence and commitment of our medical volunteers who are NMA members. At each of the 38 free medical missions we have held, there have been, on average, 70 medical professionals! When we carry out health awareness campaigns, we partner with medical professionals. We are indeed grateful to all of your members who have been part of our efforts to promote health and wellbeing in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #3: ‘To ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages.’”
The honouree assured the NGO would not rest on its oars, given the many Nigerians who still need assistance.
She said, “I am well aware of the hard work still required to improve healthcare access in cities and remote areas in Rivers State, the south-south and across Nigeria. Too many people still suffer from ailments that require just a little money for treatment. Our people still have debilitating illnesses they should not suffer because of inadequate knowledge, poor health technology, expensive medicine and lack of doctors and nurses due to brain drain.”
The leading entrepreneur, who lamented the grossly inadequate number of medical doctors available to treat Nigerians, said their welfare should be prioritised to address the ongoing brain drain.
“The statistics for Nigeria are particularly stark and frightening, with only 24,000 licenced doctors caring for a population of 218 million. The poor remuneration of our medical doctors and other medical professionals is closely related to the massive brain drain in the sector. Doctors are too precious for us not to prioritise their welfare, including improved conditions of service,” she said.
Earlier, the chairman of the Rivers NMA, Dr Ebbi Robinson, lauded the significant contributions of Dr Lulu-Briggs in providing quality healthcare for the underprivileged and underserved.
He added that the recognition and honourary membership of the NMA was also to encourage her to do more.
