KEHINDE Emmanuel, Ilorin
The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA)-Kwara chapter on Tuesday called for the speedy payment of the slightly improved salaries to members.
Dr Ola Ahmed, the Kwara-NMA chairman stated this in Ilorin during a news conference organised as part of the activities marking the 2023 Physician’s Week.
He also lamented that that the progress towards payment of slightly improved salary to members is just too slow.
He appealed to Kwara government to immediately commence payment of recently reviewed Consolidated Medical Salary Scale ( CONMESS) and Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) with thier arrears and also the Accoutrement allowances for medical doctors and dentists.
“I hope there won’t be need for us yo engage in another round of agitation for thr implementation of what has been circulairized since July 2023,” he said.
The NMA chairman however commended Gov. AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq for the efforts in rehabilitation of hospital ls across primary and secondary hwalthcare facilities.
He also commended the government’s initiative on health insurance for citizens, adding that the KwaraCare is for the indigent to access health care affordably.
Ahmed also observed the increased rate of insecurity in our nation has become unbearable and has negatively impacted on our members and invariably on the healthcare delivery to our people.
“The fear of kidnapping, banditory and armed robbery has really deprived our citizens of access to quality care especially in the rural communities qhere the menace is rampant”.
He appealed to the government at all tiers and revered traditional leaders to review thier approaches to tackling insecurity and come out with workable strategies to secure the lives and properties of the citizens.
He observed that the country is passing through a difficult time, while the citizens bear the brunt.
The NMA Kwara Chairman added that the association is exploring all peaceful avenues towards securing some economic reprieve for members.
The expert therefore urged all higher education institutions in the state, to as a matter if urgency commence tye implementation of CONMESS for all Medical doctors.
Similarly, he urged pregnant women and people in need of healthcare to go to health facilities to access healthcare and avoid quacks.
Also speaking on the Physician Week, he said some of the activities marking the week includes, Scientific Conference, discussions on Medical Doctors welfare, courtesy visits and Young doctors day.
He further stated that the theme of the Physician week is entitled: “This is Our Chance: To Get it Right in the Health Scetor”.
He added that the sub-themes are “The Abuja Declaration-22 Years After”, and also “The Ethical Issues in Human Organ Donation”.
“The sub-themes are “The Abuja Declaration-22 Years After”, and also “The Ethical Issues in Human Organ Donation”.
