The Leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kaduna Chapter, has expressed displeasure over the poor take-home package of the Nigerian Doctors.
Radio Nigeria reports that this is coming as the Chapter of the NMA tagged Kaduna State doctors to be collecting the poorest salaries, adding that the state is at 60 per cent of the CONMESS salary scale.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Kaduna State Chapter, Dr. Madaki D. Sheyin asserted this while briefing newsmen in commemoration of the 2022 Physician’s Week in Kaduna.
According to him, this is a far cry from what those in the Federal and other States are receiving.
Dr Madaki also said that the Nigerian doctor was poorly paid, overworked as well as lacked the necessary work tools.
“We have been taken from the lofty heights of nobility to nothingness by the negilect and possible disdain for the heath sector by successive governments.
“The Kaduna Doctor is even worse hit by this poor welfare conditions which he called a far cry from what those in the Federal and other States are receiving. He explained.
He, therefore, urged the Kaduna State Government to immediately implement the report of the Committee on Review of Medical Doctors and other health workers’ salaries and also domesticate the newly approved hazard allowance for doctors.
While lamenting on insecurity which has largely played a role for the high turnover of doctors in the state and the mass exodus, causing both internal and external brain drain, he however called on Governments to quickly declare emergency action in Nigeria’s health sector for the sake of her citizens.
Commending the Kaduna State Government for significant infrastructural development projects, especially in the area of primary healthcare, Dr Madaki stressed the need for the state to do more in the area of Human Resources for Health to preserve the worrying trend of brain drain, especially among the younger generation.
Speaking on this year’s Physician’s Week, Madaki said the Nigerian Medical Association had to shelve it’s National opening ceremony to sympathize with those affected by massive flood across states of Nigeria with attendant loss of human lives and properties.
” In this regard, we have sent out some relief materials to worse hit States,” he added.
According to him, NMA is also reaching out to the affected communities and have rolled out plans on medical outreach programs.
While speaking, Madaki also called on Government at different levels to work together in helping the victims to recover quickly and initiate measures to avert another flooding.
FATIMA UMAR, KADUNA
