Our time together….
Dear Member,
As I strolled to the train station, it felt so different from the last two months. The sun was shining brightly, people were out and about, smiling and dressed in their dark sunshades. The cold weather felt warmer, even the dusk shadows emerged slowly, even grudgingly. The day felt great, the weather even better.
The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of activities by colleagues across the length and breadth of MANSAG. It was lovely to see many members at our first ever town hall meeting on January 18. One hundred and twenty members registered to attend which emphasised to me the passion and commitment you have and to be involved in shaping the future of MANSAG. I thank you for your dedication to our organisation and look forward to seeing you again at future Town Hall meetings
I would like to welcome Mr. Asumu Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon to the post of Chair of MANSAG Manchester and to wish him and his committee every success during their tenure. I also will like to thank Dr. Umeadi, his predecessor, for his contributions, commitment and passion for the MANSAG movement and look forward to his continued support for MANSAG in the future.
The Education Committee and the Yorkshire and Humberside Local Organising Committee led by Dr Kowobari and Mr Molokwu are hard at work planning for the Education Symposium and Charity Ball taking place in Leeds on Saturday 3rd May. The symposium will definitely feel different this year. A line up of exceptional plenary speakers mixed with practical and insightful breakout workshops on relevant topics for doctors and allied health care professionals across all cadres will keep you busy the whole day, but hopefully not too tired for the sumptuous Spring Charity Ball under watchful gaze of our chief guest, the glamorous Nigerian Lord Mayor of Leeds. Please get your tickets quickly as we expect a sellout conference.
We have just announced the call for conference abstracts and the MANSAG travel fellowships. Visit www.mansag.org for more details. Do send in your abstracts and apply for the fellowship if you are eligible. Good luck!!
The diaspora engagement committee is developing an exciting program this year. Our initiatives, MANSAG Skills Transfer and Retention (STAR*) and Strengthening Collaboration, Advancing Clinical Excellence (SCALE) programs are designed to engage all our members to share our expertise and experience with our colleagues at various teaching hospitals in Nigeria. Mr. Oboh Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and Chair of the Diaspora Engagement Committee is facilitating a webinar of our diaspora program on Saturday 22 March 2025. Please look out for the invitation to this important information sharing session and consider how you may participate.
This month, two of our members started new leadership roles as NHS Clinical Directors for their specialties. I’m sure you will join me in congratulating them on their achievements and pray that they have an impactful and successful tenure in office. It’s exciting to learn of the plans of the MANSAG Leadership Academy for developing the next batch of Nigerian healthcare care leaders. Professor Jaiyesimi is organising a virtual seminar on Saturday March 29 to explore the ingredients for success in leadership and management. Dr. Oginni an NHS Medial Director and others will lead sessions during the webinar. Watch out for the invites for the spring and autumn leadership seminars. In between the virtual events, there may be opportunities for in-person workshops facilitated by clinical leaders and executives to boost our members’ leadership potential.
Many members expressed their dismay and distress at a recent motion proposed by Resident Doctors Committee to prioritise UK trained doctors for specialty training positions. The MANSAG executive team wrote to the Chair of BMA Council, Professor Banfield, to express our concerns about the motion and the resulting impact on healthcare and training if the motion is adopted by the BMA. As we know, the BMA is a democratic institution, so we as MANSAG and BMA members need to work hard to ensure that motions that articulate our needs are also debated within the BMA structures. If you would like to support our plans to introduce a motion that should positively impact on our members in the light of the Resident Doctors Committee motion, please contact me at president@mansag.org.
Dates for your diary:
- Tuesday 18 March: Global Health Partnership Africa Summit
In person. London - Saturday 22 March: Information Sharing Webinar Diaspora Activities
Venue: Online. - Saturday 29 March: Leadership Academy Webinar
Online. - Saturday 3 May: Education Symposium and Charity Ball.
In person. Leeds
And finally,
As the weather warms up and we emerge from the hibernation of the past few months, I am very excited by the plethora of activities lined up for our members this year. I look forward to meeting you in person or online at one or more of our many events this year.
Until next time, remain blessed.
Jide,
Dr. Jide Menakaya
President MANSAG
