Desmond Iwuchukwu
The National Association of Government Medical and Dental Practitioners has called on the Federal, State, and Local government to urgently address the issues confronting the health sector in the country.
This was part of the resolution reached at the National Executive Council meeting of the body held in Port Harcourt.
The National Association of Government Medical and Dental Practitioners in a communiqué read by its National President Dr. Sofiri Peterside said addressing the issues of abysmal infrastructure, poor working conditions of Doctors and health care professionals, high level of insecurity and welfare of doctors will boost the morale of health workers in Nigeria.
The statement further commended the efforts of the Governments of Ekiti and Delta states in improving the welfare of the healthcare workers in those states.
Dr Sofiri Peterside, however, urged other states to follow suit by domesticating the reviewed hazard allowances,100 percent consolidated medical salary structure, training grants, prompt payment of salaries/arrears, and ensure prompt promotions.
The body also frowned at a bill seeking to prescribe a 5-year mandatory service for all Nigerian-trained Doctors, which they said violates all known labour laws and infringes on fundamental rights to freedom of movement.
The statement however commended the minister of labour and productivity Chris Ngige for standing by the truth and condemning the said bill in its entirety.
“The body which is the largest affiliate of the Nigeria Medical Association NMA also frowned at what they tagged a malicious and obnoxious bill sponsored at the National assembly by Hon, Ganiyu Johnson seeking to prescribe a 5-year mandatory service for all Nigerian trained Doctors, which they said violates all known labour laws and infringes on fundamental rights to freedom of movement. The body however commended the minister of labour and productivity Chris Ngige for standing by the truth and condemning the said bill in its entirety.”
“While speaking on the ordeal of Sen.Ike Ekeremadu, the National executive council of the body (NEC)urged the federal government to urgently initiates steps to effectively tackle the factors surrounding medical tourism which has portrayed the country’s medical sector in bad light amongst the committee of Nations” he said.
