Doctors Time Out Family (DTOF) is a non-governmental organization NGO established initially as a social media initiative of Dr Anthony Ude, a radiologist in training in UCH Ibadan.
DTOF through its activities has undergone a remarkable transformation into an organization geared towards the sustenance of welfare for all members of NARD/NMA, political sensitization, mobilization and engagement of doctors nationwide, bridging the communication divide between junior doctors and that between doctors and the public, driving support for the establishment of a well stuructured residency training program, dismantling inter-professional strife in the health sector, addressing areas of health needs especially in vulnerable communities, improving the national health insurance quality and coverage and is committed to reduce capital flight due to health tourism from Nigeria.
From inception, this family of doctors has never failed to remember the down trodden and vulnerable among the Nigerian society. The family organizes annual free medical services, social aid and scholarships to disadvantaged communities, orphanages, old people’s homes and indigent students. This goes a long way to show a shining example of good social corporate responsibility. A reminder to Nigerians, that we’re as strong as our weakest links and that a nation must provide a means of taking care of the weak, the fallen, and the forgotten among her people.
The organization started as a whatsapp group 2years ago, and members include doctors from all 36 states and the FCT and cut across all cadre of doctors mostly below the rank of consultants ( attendings ) in all levels of health care delivery including: PHC centers, general hospitals, federal medical centers and teaching hospitals.
The organization recognizes the tremendous power of social media and utilizes this means to bridge the communication gap among Nigerian doctors.
It addresses all issues affecting members on its very effective platforms and always rises to the occasion in all cases of unfair treatment of doctors and their representatives nationwide.
Despite the ever busy nature of doctors, DTOF has shattered the walls of isolation among doctors across the nation in an environment devoid of political, religious, social, ethnic and ideological divides.
One of the founding principles of the organization is the concept of family. The NGO is simply a family of doctors through which all doctors can exercise their rights to life, to practice the profession with liberty and dignity, to pursue happiness while sustaining a healthy nation and to defend the Nigerian medical profession from bastardization, both within and without. Thus, its activities often involve daily discussions on members’ welfare, inter-professional relationships and professional threats.
The organization’s support for a national residency training program as obtained in the United States and the United Kingdom is premised on the despicable scenario at hand which leaves multitudes of young Nigerian doctors unemployed, underemployed, or wasting multiple years in search of hospital programs that offer opportunities for skills as basic as internship training for fresh doctors. Most are often left with no other option but to flee to foreign countries including neighboring African states all of which offer better welfare and working environments. This is evident by statistics which indicate that 60% of Nigerian trained doctors end up in foreign lands worldwide, a perennial cause of widespread physician shortages in Nigeria. Thus the need for a nationally coordinated residency training program RTP cannot be overemphasized. Hence, the family has been staunchly supportive of the current bill in the NASS seeking to establish a RTP and increase federal funding for healthcare.
It is now common knowledge that health is a universal right; and must be made accessible, affordable and attainable to all. Western countries have realized this essential need and established programs for this. But in Nigeria and most sub-Saharan states it is only still a mirage to both the average and wealthy citizens.
This family of doctors has vowed not to relent until its political and professional powers are sufficiently channeled towards the actualization of world class health care for all Nigerians, which is its ultimate goal.
This week marks the celebration of the 2nd anniversary of this beautiful family of doctors. As a mark of distinction, activities bearing her trademarks are scheduled to take place nationwide. Funding for all social and humanitarian services is solely borne by this family and well-meaning Nigerians. We appeal that you all join and support us as we celebrate this wonderful family of doctors nationwide.
LONG LIVE DOCTORS TIME OUT FAMILY
LONGLIVE NARD
LONGLIVE NMA
Dr Jerry Adie MD
On and Behalf of the DTOF
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