The Bayelsa State Government has indicated its readiness to pay special allowances to frontline health workers combating the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic in the state.
Governor Douye Diri gave the indication in a meeting with representatives of labour unions including the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and Association of Resident Doctors in Government House, Yenagoa.
Other unions represented at the meeting include the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria.
The Governor, who was represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, reassured health workers of the present administration’s commitment to giving priority attention to their welfare and other challenges affecting healthcare delivery in the state.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy Governor, Mr Doubara Atasi, said the government was prepared to pay the COVID-19 hazard and inducement allowances effective from April 2020 when the state recorded its index case.
Governor Diri, however, pointed out that the state does not have the financial capacity to adopt the Federal Government’s template for implementing the payment due to the steady decline in its revenues.
On the issue of skipping for medical doctors, Senator Diri assured that the government would implement the policy as soon as modalities were worked out by the committee handling it.
He, therefore, urged the labour unions to show understanding by prevailing on their members to accept the well-considered position of the state Government.
His words, “Health issues will never be at the tail of this administration. Rather, they will be on the front burner and occupy a very prominent place as far as we are concerned.
“Our team has had useful discussions with you. Our position which we are appealing to you seriously to consider is that we will pay only the frontline health workers who are directly engaged in the COVID-19 response.
“And our position is not in isolation. It is a position we know quite a number of states are working on. Federal Government can afford to do anything because it has less responsibility but more money.
“On skipping, the Head of Service, Hospital Management Board, the Ministry of Health and officials of the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital are working hard to get the final figures. We take it seriously because we believe that our doctors should not be treated differently from other doctors in the country.”
Earlier, the State Chairman of NMA, Dr Peter Alabrah and President, Association of Resident Doctors, Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital Okolobiri Chapter, Dr Oru Inetsol had urged the government to pay the special allowance to all health workers in the state.
On their part, the Head of Service, Mrs Biobelemoye Charles-Onyema and Technical Adviser on Treasury, Accounts and Revenue, Mr Timipre Seipulou, called on the unions to come up with more feasible options for Government to consider at the next meeting.
