By Tina Amanda
The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) has expressed its appreciation to Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the payment of the resident training grant.
In a briefing held in Port Harcourt, the President of the Association, Dr. Nimi Briggs, highlighted that this gesture not only underscores the state government’s commitment to advancing the healthcare sector but also significantly boosts the morale of resident doctors.
Dr. Briggs emphasized the critical role of the residency training program, describing it as the backbone of the healthcare system. He noted that this program is essential in shaping the next generation of medical specialists who will address the most pressing health challenges and contribute to medical research for enhancing healthcare service delivery.
“It is with immense gratitude and heartfelt appreciation that I stand before you today to express our collective thanks to the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for his unwavering support in sustaining specialist training through the payment of the medical residency training grant.
“It empowers us to delve deeper into research, fosters innovation, and equips us with the necessary tools to provide the highest standard of healthcare to the good people of Rivers State and Nigeria at large.
“For 2023 two hundred and fifteen resident doctors benefited while in 2024 one hundred and seventy-four doctors benefited, the reason is that in 2024 some doctors had left the program and are now consultants, the emphasis is the payment of grants to residents doctors
“By ensuring the timely payment of these grants, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS and our esteemed Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr(Mrs) Adaeze Oreh have taken a decisive step in reducing the brain drain that has plagued our healthcare sector for far too long. This support not only keeps our brightest minds within our borders but also ensures that they are well-equipped to serve our communities with excellence.
“Dr. Oreh ensured everyone was captured, it was a seamless and transparent process. The hospital management board and Rivers State Ministry of Health were all part of the process.
“We, the resident doctors, of Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, are now more motivated than ever to push the boundaries of medical research and innovation. This will not only improve health service delivery but also elevate the standard of healthcare available to every Rivers citizen and resident.
“The ripple effect of this support will be felt across Nigeria as we continue to share knowledge, collaborate with our peers, and contribute to the global medical community”.
He further expressed hope that the successful payment of the resident training grant will usher in the domestication of the Resident Training Act.
“With this bold step taken by the State Government, we believe the Medical Residency Training Act of 2017 will be domesticated in our dear State and this will seamlessly encourage residency training and payment of medical residency training funds to resident doctors for research purposes.
“The Resident Training Act was actually accepted by Former President Mohammed Buhari in 2017, some states adopted it, but here in Rivers State, we are yet to domesticate it. We tried to go through that process it wasn’t easy due to the State House Assembly issues.
“We are hoping calmness will return to Rivers State so that the House of Assembly will look into the matter and domesticate it. Following that the Governor sees the need to sponsor the program, this is coming like a kind gesture.
“We are hoping when the act is domesticated, we would not remind anybody every year for the training, not just the training but also the numbers of doctors that will be employed every year for specialist training that is what the act says”.
The President of ARD Rivers State, disclosed further that the hospital has really grown to National college standards.
“This hospital has actually grown as a tertiary center where different accredited departments have been given accreditation from National colleges, by all standards of having here as a tertiary center I think we are really on track and the Governor has put everything in place to see we achieve success”.
Dr. Briggs also appreciated Governor Fubara for promoting doctors, paying upgraded hazard allowance, and paying of consolidated medical salary structure in the State. Stating that it is a milestone that can only be achieved by a visionary leader.
