The Association of Medical Social Workers of Nigeria (AMSWON) has called for the involvement of their members in the care of the internally displaced persons in the country.
AMSWON which is the umbrella body of all Medical Social Workers in the country in a communiqué made available to journalists after its Socio-Scientific conference and annual General Meeting in Sokoto said: “medical Social Workers should be fully involved in the care of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) across the country because of its technical know-how.”In the communiqué, it was agreed that Medical Social Workers in Nigeria should ensure more effort in the counselling of Youths on Drugs and Substance Abuse.
It called on government at all levels to ensure the employment of more professional social workers in all health care settings in Nigeria for better medical social services and basic support to all Nigerians. The association also called on all Chief Executives of tertiary health institutions, state-owned hospitals, and private hospitals to ensure the implementation of relevant circulars of government on all health matters timely to avoid industrial disharmony in the health sector.
According to the communiqué, “We call on all medical social workers in the country to update their knowledge and training in social work regularly adding that all medical social workers in the country should unite as one indivisible professional body and contribute their quota to the national growth and development.
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“Medical Social Workers should be seen to build and promote peace within and outside the country, we commended President Muhammadu Buhari for quickly intervening in dosing the tension of secession and attempt by some groups to break away from Nigeria” it added.
The association while commending the National Assembly for the passage of the Social Work Bill, however, called on heads of health organisations to ensure implementation of relevant circulars of government on all health matters timely to avoid industrial disharmony in the health sector.
AMSWON, however, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the fight against Corruption, and other Vices as well as ensuring that the country remains one singular entity.“We thank the National Assembly for the passing of the Social Work Bill and for supporting Social Work Services in Nigeria.”
The conference afforded members of the association to elect national officers who will pilot the affairs of the association for the next two years.
Those elected were; Abubakar Alhassan Bichi who was re-elected as (National President); Ibe Thomas, a medical doctor, (National Vice President), Ellu Daniel (National General Secretary), Oluwagbemiga Oyinlola (National Assistant General Secretary), Saidu Ibrahim (National Auditor) and Lanre Olanipeku (National Financial Secretary).
Others are; Adeyemi Adekola (National Public Relations Officer), Mujahideen Adegbola (National Editorial Secretary), Gbadamosi Elizabeth (National Treasurer), Martha Kummiap (National Welfare Officer) and Kayode Ogendegbe (National Ex-Official).
Akinremi Feyisipo
