Despite the organisational challenges of holding an annual conference at a different venue every year…MANSAG has succeded in bringing Nigerian doctors in the UK together every year. These meetings have been have always had a full relevant scientific agenda as well as a full social programme for the family.
In recent years with the energetic leadership of Dr Stanley Okolo, MANSAG has engaged with other Diaspora medical organisations in fighting for the rights of doctors from ethnic minorities working in the UK and built links with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigerian National Volunteer Service and the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA).
The one criticism that many have had is its apparent exclusivity to specialists….apparent from its name, unlike other organisations representing the interest of doctors from ethnic minority populations in the UK. This however seems more perception as fact but one that should be addressed soon. For this conference there is a 30% subsidy for doctors in training.
Like its sister body in the USA; ANPA, MANSAG is the single body that has taken on the responsibility of protecting the interests of Nigerian medics in a geographic location with a large concentration of Nigerian doctors and proactively seeking its progress as a community. This is an onerous task.
There are a million other roles we would all want MANSAG to play. We want “them” to fight for our rights in the UK, advocate for health policy changes in Nigeria, foster academic relationships between north and south, etc etc etc
To deliver on these MANSAG needs the engagement of Nigerian medics in the UK to enrole, engage and drive the agenda. In the process you’ll get to make useful acquaintances, true friendships and find new mentors.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has…Margaret Mead