From Jimoh Balogun, Ado-Ekiti
The Ekiti State branch of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), has reintegrated its call that the Governments at all levels should now as a matter of duty, devote at least 15% of the annual budget to health.
The NMA said that the call became necessary now that ‘fuel subsidy is gone’, saying that this would help to achieve stability in the health sector.
This was part of the communique issued at the end of the 26th Annual General Meeting of the association which took place between 5th and 11th August 2023 in Ado-Ekiti and was signed by Dr. Rosiji Babatunde and Dr Moses Dada, the Chairman NMA Ekiti and Southwest respectively.
The doctors said they identified with the need to remove subsidy on petroleum products which is for the overall good of the Nation, but frowned at the delay by the Federal Government in rolling out palliatives to match the level of suffering of average Nigerians.
They observed that the subsidy removal coupled with the declining value of the naira have led to an astronomical increase in the cost of drugs and medical consumables.
“This coupled with the prohibitive cost of transportation is threatening delivery of qualitative health services as it is becoming increasingly difficult for health workers to commute daily to the hospitals and to keep medical services running uninterruptedly.”
The NMA warned that if nothing deliberate is done to rescue the health sector, native doctors would soon start running the hospitals, saying “the neglect of the health sector is already leading to the proliferation of quacks who are now even brazenly parading themselves as doctors and even conducting graduations to induct their apprentices to the ‘Medical Profession”.
The Doctors lauded the Ekiti State Government for the unveiling of palliatives, noting that, approval of pay parity for Clinical workers at the Hospitals’ Management Board, the approval of the hazard allowance for Local Government health workers and the implementation of pending promotions would boost the morale of these workers.
“It is our expectation that the same gesture will be extended to our colleagues working in EKSUTH and the PHCDA.”
The Ekiti NMA however identified with its Cross Rivers branch on the continued detention of one of its professors, Prof. Ekanem-Ephraim, saying “It is callous to subject a professional and mother to this harrowing experience for over 30 days.
“We call on the FG and Cross Rivers Government to urgently take steps that will result in her immediate and unconditional release.”
End.
