The Maldivian Medical Association in a crisis

Monday, February 4, 2008

The bi-election held on 2nd February 2008 to fill the post of President of the association, left vacant following the shock resignation of Dr Abdulla Niyaf in October 2007, has failed to elect anyone for the post. The results of the election are on display in the lift lobby of IGMH and shows Dr Didi (Dental Didi) failing to get the required number of votes to get elected. Dr Didi reportedly got less than 40% of the vote. Incidentally, Dr Niyaf was elected to the post by a 100% of the electorate.

We are made to understand that Dr Niyaf had handed in his resignation in October 2007, during his now infamous suspension from IGMH (along with his close friend and colleague Dr Ismail Shafeeu) for standing up for the rights of the patients and expressing concerns regarding the way Dr A C Bhagwat was treating pediatric in-patients at IGMH. A close friend of Dr Niyaf, who himself has refused to discuss the issue any further, told us that in his resignation letter Dr Niyaf had expressed that he no longer wished to continue to represent certain elements within the association who were working to harm him, his career and his family's well-being. This is believed to be a reference to Dr Mohamed Solih, Dr Fathmath Ali Didi and Dr Mohamed Firdous, who in addition to being members of the association are senior administrator of IGMH. It is believed by many that the suspension was a means of silencing Dr Niyaf and harming his reputation as a leader. Unfortunately, his resignation seemingly has achieved the target set by the administrative elements.

Many of the senior members of the association claim that the association was left in this state because Dr Niyaf had been too hasty in handing in his resignation. Many of his colleagues and the public blame internal hospital politics and dirty tactics by IGMH admin in the suspension of Dr Niyaf that had led to him abandoning the association.

Following Dr Niyaf's resignation, many of the projects of MMA have been left abandoned. Their website remains un-updated and their publications "beys-sitee" and "Prescription" have failed to get further editions to print either.

Dental Didi's failure at the elections is being viewed by many members of the association as a huge blow to the credibility of the association. The association has lost it voice in recent months, failing to carry out any activity or projects in that time. The influence it has on the health sector seems to be at an all-time low. Even the "group of concerned doctors" the unofficial pressure group of the association has apparently disbanded.

The Maldivian Medical Association is an important NGO and a fellow watch-dog that needs to regroup to ensure that medical profession is free from undue influences, doctors return to professionally sound ethics in their practice and that the rights of the patients and doctors are protected. We look forward to a resurrected MMA that gains back the trust of the public and the professionals who are its members.

We urge the elected members of the governing body of the association to revive the vital body, get its members united and return to working on changing the system that is sick to the bone and on its death bed.

NB: We would like to congratulate Dr Ashraf (Urologist) for securing enough votes to win the seat of treasurer.

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

Its true that Dr Niyaf resigned from MMA presidency in a haste. Moreover neither the MoH nor IGMH has the authority to suspend doctors. It could only be done by Maldivian Medical Council.

We should always remember that evil will always be there to obstruct the good. But we should not give-in. We should always fight. Perhaps Dr Niyaf is too emotional and does not have the courage to lead the fight for a better health system in Maldives.

Anonymous said...

pachas, maybe so. Maybe he did so too hastily. I think a lone person cannot fight in the real world, in an ideal world......well who'd need to fight then! I think his team at the helm of MMA was too weak and unwilling to join him in the fight.

What we, at IGMH saw was that Niyaf fought hard and bravely for as long as he could. But giving up your "career, livelihood and family's wellbeing" in the face of absolute apathy from members of MMA would have been foolish! It is probably wiser to leave and live to fight another day. Did you know that his salary was withheld for the duration of his suspension (something that is illegal, but done anyway to hurt him and his family).

I work at the hospital myself. I have seen how strong he still fights for the causes he believes in. He's not left the fight. He has changed tactics.

If the rest of us would remain in cowardly silence and inaction, no single person can get us out of this mess. But then again; we dare not risk our own wellbeing....and yet expect others to do so for our sake.......

Anonymous said...

A friend recommended that I show my daughter to dr niyaf and I just did that today. I can claim that after spending a good 20 minutes in his OPD this morning, he is by far the most genuinely caring doctor I have ever met in my life. My friend and I still cant believe that we have such great doctors in this country, people obviously sing his praise for very good reasons. He may not single handedly change the ailing system but he will change our expectations from this system and set standards for other doctors to follow.

Anonymous said...

On a different note, i don't think a dentist is suited for the role of presidency of MMA; no offence, Dr.Didi is an excellent dental specialist, but his profession is not one of medicine per se.

It would be more ideal for him to take on the presidency of MDA, once it is formed, if ever.

Anonymous said...

"The influence it has on the health sector"...What influence. As i see it, they are bloody useless.

Anonymous said...

muna, he is smart. not like the others who dont know how to play it.

Anonymous said...

It is no surprise that the MMA is in a crisis. It was inevitable. The current lack of leadership reflects the attitude of doctors towards the health system itself- that it cannot be trusted, and cannot be messed with. It also shows the lack of unity among doctors in striving to achieve their main goal- provision of good and equal health care to all. The only time I have witnessed 'unity' among doctors is when a patient's caretaker assaults a doctor.
MMSA disbanded due to the arrogance of doctors, and I see no other fate for MMA as well- unless doctors take the time to reflect on issues of common morality, examine thier value systems, discard their arrogance and stop thinking of patients like money making machines.

Anonymous said...

lets move on people. niyaf's out. No use talking about him. Where is MMA headed? who's going to take charge now?

i'd not support an MMA that tags the official line....and works in cahoots with the establishment. i'd want a group willing to take up on issues even when it doesn't suit the establishment......risky bussiness but something that is required.

Anonymous said...

Konme mehege ves bodu aga eh onnaa nee .. vaakameh hama haraam al haraam.

Anonymous said...

gdfdfgd

Anonymous said...

It is paradoxical that while none else came foreward to contest the post the members of MMA went to vote and reject the only contestant. Reeks of confusion and immaturity. But on the other hand it may show that the level of apathy has not yet hit the ceiling. So while being unconcerned and cowardly in general they cared enough to go and reject one in whom they had no confidence in?

Anonymous said...

This it self shows how much these people want to bring good changes.

Anonymous said...

A dentist cannot run Maldivian Medical assosiation, Dentists are not even called doctors now, plus Didi isnt a qualified person to run the highly qualified Maldivian doctors assosiation. sorry if I sound a bit arrogant, but thats the truth. And for Niyaf I just have one thing to say, few years experience in Paediatrics doesnt make one a very great person.. still he got a lot to learn from his seniors, dont think of your self as, I am the best..
=venus=

Anonymous said...

agree ith the last part pachas; niyaf is too emotional and a coward, which is proven by his hasty resignation, irresponsible and selfish behaviour; selfish because he only thought of himself.If MMA ever goes into a crisis it cannot be because of the resignation of niyaf because he was never aleader.He was someone who left in the middle, didnt even bother to even talk with the team, didnt have the responsibility handover his work. people who worked day and night for the newsletters were others and not niyaf according to my knowledge, true as far as i know he managed the web site but during most activities after the doctors day i had failed to see his presence either. The strength of the association is in its members and the unity of doctors is obvious when more than 30 doctors signed in a petition send to MOH after Niyafs resignation.

Anonymous said...

If not for Niyaf we would not have seen any effort being done.

Anonymous said...

Any thing made on a weak foundation is bound to break and fall sooner or later.This is what is happening to MMA.The first president Ismail Shafeeu was too egoistic to consider others opinions and work in a team spirit.He was only interested in strikes and more strikes.The noble qualities of a physician required to run such an esteemed association was entirely lacking.
Then came Niyaf.The less said the better.In all the meetings either MMA or otherwise his arrogance and bossy approach was for all to see.
His attempts at dominating all the talks while passing occasional insults at some senior doctors spoke volumes on his thug like character.Impatient, arrogant,short tempered and prone to quick temper tantrums.Again not the qualities of a true leader.
Now the excuse of resigning on the pretext of harm to his family etcc is nothing but horse shit.He liked lime light and false praise to a great extent and he thought he is untouchable but when the soap bubble cracked and suspensions and humiliations came he showed his true guts.Acts v nice with patients and acts like a monster with some of his colleagues and have the capacity to bad mouth(in words and the unbearable halitosis that he throws around)at the most unpredictable of times.A True DR Jekyl and MR Hyde type of character.The MMA is so unfortunate but his resignation is Good riddance of bad rubbish.Hopefully a sensible , more urbane and sophisticated maldivian doctor will take the helm of this association soon.

Anonymous said...

To the (above )last annonymous:
i bet u r surely jelaous of Dr.NIYAF ..I WORKED WITH DR.niyaf and he is nothing of the descsribed above ..he is dedicated towards his pateints and overall a very nice human being...don't label him with ur own freaky standards ..cheers

Anonymous said...

Well Niyaf is nothing but arrogant, and bossy character, I totally agree with the post before.
He should come down to earth. And yeah why dont someone tell Niyaf that to get rid of this bad ordour from him. Even Dr. Shiham needs to be perfumed. Maybe they spent too much time in India and similar places, they likes it that way.

Anonymous said...

Hehehehehe may be Shiham is setting a standard for some indian nurses on how to smell nd keep it that way.

Anonymous said...

well i don't think u know Niyaf that much to judge him and certainly he don't smell ..may be its ur own "baburu kippathi vas" u r smelling go n clean urself to get rid of it ...and for ur info Niyaf studied in Australia and not in India ...cheers

Anonymous said...

i guess Niyaf was in pakistan in some hot dusty smelly place before he went to australia.habits die hard isnt it?:)cheers

Anonymous said...

heheheheehe some people do get adapted even to strong smell and find it perfectly normal. may be ur so intimate with him that u too just got adapted and found this a musky alluring smell but for the rest it will still be yucky. good luck and cheers.

Anonymous said...

i can see these comments u r throwing are an aftermath of some personal venom u have with Dr.Niyaf so obviously u better open a hate niyaf blog instead of commenting in here wassalaaam n cheers :)

Anonymous said...

Hahahaha, that writer knows Niyaf so much, he knew he studied in australia, wow, he was there for only 2 years,honey... and his degree is equivalent of that of a diploma in paediatrics, if u dont know that also. And he behaves like a Professor.. what a sad situation.

Anonymous said...

oh I see.but still got the job of senior registrar by duping the hospital and the ministry.not at all unexpected from a character like this.

Anonymous said...

SHIT. then he should be demoted immediately and made a registrar.

Anonymous said...

By the way, why cant ppl comment on Niyaf here? IS it a rule all can talk shit about others but not Niyaf? why is that? IS this blog Maldives medical watch his? yeah it must be the reason.

Anonymous said...

surely should "hate Niyaf blog"i agree with that previous anonymous coz most of the comments are about him and the ways to hate him, what a load of bullshit ppl get real and think of something benefiting to the health system of our country

Anonymous said...

I dont know this Niyaf, but I can guess he isnt very popular with his colleagues. He should work on being a better person tha he is now. So many elegations means there is something wrong with him.

Anonymous said...

Work on being a better person.u must be kidding sir.Did Abu Jahulu change till the last moment?wishful thinking.

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