The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has said the State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji has since his assumption into office demonstrated empathy on the challenges affecting the Health Sector.
The Ekiti State chapter of the NMA has said that the interventions by Governor Biodun Oyebanji in the health sector would help to reduce the migration of doctors and other health workers.
The NMA said the Series of Interventions put in place by the
governor has greatly helped the Practitioners on both welfare and enabling the
environment to function.
The Medical Practitioners in a press release signed by the
Chairman, Dr Babatunde Rosiji and the Secretary, Dr. Moses Dada which was made
available on Tuesday to New Telegraph stated that the Governor has shown that
as a true father of the state, he is a man of integrity whose words can be
relied upon.
The statement reads in part: “Following the meeting he had
with our Association in November 2022 soon after inauguration where our
Association presented the problems bedevilling the health sector in the State
and preferred possible solutions, Mr Governor said he identified with the
challenges and promised to actualize the recommendations we made to him.
“He emphasized the premium his administration attaches to
the health sector and promised to do everything possible to make the workers
happy.
“We are delighted that less than a year after the
reassurances, the promises he made have become a reality.
“Mr. Governor has repositioned the health sector in the
State by ensuring among others the approval of hazard allowance and pay parity
for clinical workers.
“The approvals of the Medical Residency Training Fund
(MRTF), the release of funds for capital projects across hospitals and the
recent increase in the subvention of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital
alongside other tertiary institutions in the State will bring a lasting
solution to the recurring financial problems in the institutions.
“These interventions will in no small measures boost the
morale of health workers in the State and we strongly believe that these will
definitely slow the velocity of both internal and external migration of doctors
and other health workers from the State.”
The NMA which therefore solicited support for the Governor
in moving the state forward commiserated with Oyebanji and the state at large
on the recent killings and abduction that occurred.
“While we condole with the Governor and the good people of
Ekiti State on the murder of the driver of the Apostolic faith group of schools
and two traditional rulers in the State, we want to commend the governor and
security operatives on the role played in the rescue of the recently abducted
school children and we believe they will leave no stone unturned to identify
the perpetrators of this gruesome and barbaric act and others promoting crime
and violence in the State.
“While we use this opportunity to also appreciate the
security agencies for the hard work they are rendering to keep the state safe,
we call on them to do more.
“We encourage every citizen of the State to join hands with
the government towards building the Ekiti of our dreams.
“We equally use this medium to appeal to citizens of the
State to show understanding with health workers while seeking treatment across
the hospital network in the State.
“While we promise to offer the best health care services
possible, we advise citizens not to resort to the barbaric practice of
assaulting health workers as we experienced recently”, the NMA said.