The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, Mr John Kennedy Opara, has tasked members of the Federal Medical Committee to strive at zero mortality for 2012 Christian pilgrimage exercise. He disclosed this recently in Abuja while inaugurating members of the federal medical committee. According to him “it is time we chose the best way to manage our pilgrims and the officials to get zero mortality. It is this choice that will make that difference,” he stressed.

Opara explained that the medical committee had done well in the past, but needed to improve on its record because change is the only constant thing in life.

He stressed that this year’s operation will be the best ever and the medical committee will also be the best ever.

The NCPC boss urged members of the medical committee to seek the face of God while attending to Pilgrims because wisdom and knowledge come from God. His words “as you relate with pilgrims before you go into prescription, you have to seek the face of God.” “He further stressed that “as a committee, they must always pray together so that God would grant them the wisdom to apply their professional expertise better.

He further added “I know it is not going to be easy but for sure, we shall succeed. We need a new system, a system humble enough not to try to solve all the problem for us but strong enough to give us the tools to solve our medical challenges for ourselves”.

The NCPC boss advised that, for every one of us to succeed, a new spirit of commitment for a new medical team should be embraced, adding that the interest of the nation should come first before personal interest. The NCPC helmsman, who later read the terms of reference to the committee members, urged them to abide by it and be conscious of the code of ethics of their profession.

The chairman of the committee, Dr Arene Micheal, represented by the Vice Chairman Dr Fidelis Oigiagbe Ehita, in his response, thanked the Executive Secretary for giving them the great privilege and honour to serve the commission and the nation at large. He averred that the committee would be driven by the mission and vision of NCPC for excellent service.

He solicited for a robust synergy with the Commission in order to achieve the envisaged results. He assured that his Committee would give emphasis to strict preventive medicare.

The 13-man Federal medical committee would coordinate all the medical activities for the 2012 Christian Pilgrimage. They are to conduct selection examinations for the medical team and organize orientation for both the federal and zonal medical personnel. Members of the federal medical committee are made up of seasoned doctors and pharmacist with great wealth of experience in the Medical profession.

The inauguration ceremony was witnessed by management staff of NCPC.