The Abia chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has threatened to clamp down on quacks and unregistered medical facilities in the state.

The state NMA Chairman, Dr Isaiah Abali, issued the threat in his inaugural speech on Monday in Umuahia.

Abali said that the new executive would use the security agencies and judiciary to fight quackery in the state.

He described quackery as a serious menace to the medical practice in Abia, especially in the commercial city of Aba.

According to him, this executive will fight quackery because it does not only affect the medical professionals, it also affects the people.

He said: “This new executive will do everything within its power to ensure quackery is brought to a standstill.

“We will liaise with the state Ministry of Health and start with unregistered medical facilities.

“We are also going to make sure that even the registered medical facilities have qualified personnel in charge.”

He said the body would use the judiciary to book anybody working in those unregistered establishments.

Abali promised that his leadership would constructively engage the state government to ensure that the backlog of salaries owed to his members was cleared.

He said that the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), Aba and the Health Management Board were owed 21 months and 11 months, respectively.

“We pray and pledge to engage the government because our members are hungry and have become beggars.

He commended his predecessor, Dr Chimezie Okwuonu, and his team for their achievements and pledged to improve the welfare of members.

Abali is a Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon at the ABSUTH, Aba.

In a brief remark, Okwuonu listed the building of an event centre at Mgbarakuma, Ubakala in Umuahia South Local Government Area among the achievements of his executive.

“I believe the current administration will improve on what we have done because leadership is a continuum.

“There are lots of expectations from them, but I generally believe that our association will become better because the team is capable,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other members of the new executive included Dr Odochi Ewurum (Vice Chairman), Dr Daniel Ekeleme (General Secretary), Dr Ogechi Amaechi-Ebisike (Treasurer) and Dr Clement Ifenkoronye (Publicity Secretary).