The NMF (Nigerian Medical forum) registered charity no. 1028197.( Launched October 1991). The NMF is voluntary, non-profit-making and non-political with membership open to every healthcare professional of Nigeria origin resident in the U.K. and Ireland. Associate membership is open to any other person who shares the objectives of The NMF.
The aims of The NMF are the relief of sickness and the protection and preservation of public health in Nigeria in particular, by providing or assisting in the provision of medical, dental and other healthcare equipment and facility which would not otherwise be provided; AND the advancement of public education in medicine and health matters.
Following its formal launching in October 1991, The NMF implemented its aims by organising mass participation enlightenment seminars, lectures for members and the public on various aspects of the appalling health situation in Nigeria. Donations of materials, equipment, books and finance were generously received from members of the public. The NMF collected back-issues of journals, and paid subscriptions for current journals appropriate for the Nigerian health scene and then shipped these to medical libraries all over Nigeria. The central medical library Yaba, Lagos received large stock of books/journals from the NMF. Professor Ransome-Kuti, Dr Tarfida, Dr Madubuike all former Federal Ministers of Health in Nigeria participated and received books and other items from The NMF for distribution to Nigeria health institutions. Nigeria Ambassadors to the UK Dove Edwin, Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji, Uche Okeke, Bola Ajibola all witnessed NMF charity at work and assisted in the freight of books/journals to Nigeria health institutions. The NMF played an active role in the vision 2010 health subcommittee spurred on by Chief Ernest Shonekan former head of state and chairman of the Vision project. The Nigerian Medical Association ( NMA) received a large donation towards the production of its National Medical Directory project. The NMF also set its sight locally by assisting several newly-arrived doctors ( and a few nurses) to settle in the UK by arranging and advising on useful clinical attachments, PLAB course and PLAB examination. The NMF also provided several of these doctors with the initial references for their first jobs.
As a result of all the initiatives mentioned above The NMF released several publications on various seminal issues affecting healthcare delivery in Nigeria: 'reducing preventable deaths on Nigerian roads; 'establishing a National Ambulance service'; establishing a National Blood Bank service'; 'strategy for National emergency preparedness - (following many air crashes)'; 'strategy for a National health insurance scheme'; and The NMF submitted a memorandum on the Brain-Drain issue to the vision 2010 committee.
In 1996, The NMF became the first publisher of the Nigerian edition of the British Medical Journal ( BMJ). This local edition became the West Africa edition in 1997. This was a major achievement for The NMF as the journal ensures that the doctors and other health professionals and planners in west Africa have access to first-rate, peer-reviewed, appropriate, relevant and current health information at a price that they can afford in their local currency. The journal is currently published by Health Resources International Limited(HRI Limited) which guarantees its financial survival whilst maintaining the original objectives and ethos of The NMF.
The NMF has consolidated its administration and operations to take account of the democratic political situation in Nigeria which has enabled members to return home. The new slim-line NMF in 1999 collaborated with THET ( Tropical Health and Education Trust) in sponsoring members to rural isolated hospitals in Benue state of Nigeria to train the medical officers and other health workers in clinical methods and clinical audit skills.
In collaboration with BMJ West Africa edition, The NMF hosted in May 2000 the first international 'health-writing skills workshop' in Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria. The workshop theme was 'How to write a paper, How to read a paper and How to get published' and was attended by over 240 participants under the moderation of Dr Richard Smith, Editor of BMJ. In May 2001, the workshop was repeated in Accra and Kumasi, Ghana very successfully. The writing workshop is now established as a biennial event alternating to both countries
In November 2001, The NMF in collaboration with BMJ West Africa and the Lagos State government of Nigeria hosted the first 'Masterclass Lectures' in Nigeria with the specific aim of tapping the rich reservoir of health knowledge and clinical experience of the elders of the professions of medicine and health on issues of current relevance in the practice in the West Africa region. The first lecture was titled 'Informing health professionals, protecting patients' and was delivered by Dr Richard Smith, Editor of BMJ. It was well received and attended by over 90 participants.
Over the years The NMF has linked up with local charities such as AHEF ( Africa Education and Health Foundation ) and with local not -for -profit businesses ( such as Umobia Ventures Ltd) to run task forces on many projects to empower women and youths with the aim of taking them out of poverty brackets e.g. the VVF (vesico-vaginal fistula) project and the rural 'primary education and health 'project in Cross River State of Nigeria. ( VVF is a wholly preventable complication of prolonged labour during childbirth affecting over 200,000 Nigerian women who suffer humiliation, neglect and finally ostracised from family and friends. The NMF aims to work with the authorities to eliminate this scourge on women through education and enlightenment of the professionals and the public. Nigeria has an illiteracy rate of over 60% in the rural areas where 70% of Nigerians live. The majority of these are women and children with no access to basic primary education or primary health care. The NMF works with established local charities to ensure that its programmes reach these neglected groups to enable them get out of the poverty trap. )
In April 2002 The NMF collaborated with BMJ West Africa edition in hosting the 3rd annual writing skills workshop for all health professionals in Calabar, Nigeria. There were 174 participating health professionals of all cadre.
A major campaign against the HIV / AIDS scourge is planned in 2003 in collaboration with the local charity, AHEF (Africa Health and Education Forum ) and Umobia ventures. By forging these local alliances The NMF has been able to achieve satisfactory outcomes.
Contact: Dr Joseph N.E.Ana , volunteer Trustee-Director.
The NMF
65 Warden Hill Road
Luton. Bedfordshire.
LU2 7AE. United Kingdom.
Tel/fax: +44 1582 652884.
Mobile 07778 967708.
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it