NMA asks govt to improve doctor’s welfare

The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has urged Governments at all levels in the country to improve on Doctor’s welfare and remuneration to discourage brain drain and salvage the health sector from total collapse.

The President of NMA, Prof. Innocent Ujah, said this during a press conference to commemorate the 2021 Physicians’ week in Uyo on Monday.

Our correspondent reports that the theme for the 2021 physicians’ week is: “Nigeria in the COVID Era and Beyond: Health Systems Strengthening for National Security and Prosperity.”

Ujah said that Nigerian Doctors were leaving the country because the working environment was hostile, and remuneration was poor.

He said that if the trend was not addressed by governments, the consequences would be disastrous in the health sector.

“The issue of brain drain among Medical Doctors must be urgently addressed by Governments, otherwise the consequences of turning a blind eye to this will be ominous, earlier than expected, while attempts to reversing the trend may be a herculean task with Nigeria being worse off.

“Incentivization of healthcare workers will motivate them to work harder and give their best as “Health, it is said is wealth” but we add that Health is better than wealth,” Ujah said.

He said that the issue of payment of hazard allowance to doctors and other health workers should be implemented without further delay, stressing that this would renew confidence, commitment and dedication of health workers do more.

The president of the association called for a total overhaul of the nation’s health sector, through improved budgetary allocation and effective implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

On the lingering crisis in the health sector, he appealed to various agencies of government to ensure that urgent attention and the appropriate response was given to the full implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the NMA.

Ujah said the association condemned the kidnapping and killings of doctors and other health workers by insurgents, particularly the recent killings of doctors in Anambra.

“We again, urge the Federal Government to do all within its powers to rescue those in captivity, while ensuring the security and safety of all health workers as well as every other Nigerian.

He said the 2021 theme was carefully chosen to be in tandem with the prevailing devastating COVID-19 pandemic characterised by first and second waves and emerging variants.

Ujah said that as part of the physicians’ week, the NMA will carry out medical outreach in rural communities to help the less privileged.