Doctors seek improved welfare to curb japa

The National President of National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners, Dr Idris Anas and other executives of the association... Credit: Taiwo Bankole

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The National Executive Council of the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners has called for urgent reforms to salvage Nigeria’s struggling healthcare system.

Beyond the pressing issue of brain drain, the association highlighted wider challenges threatening industrial harmony in the health sector, including insecurity, unsustainable workloads and burnout.

The National President of the association, Dr Anas Idris, stated this on Sunday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while presenting the communiqué issued by the NEC after the one-week medical year celebration of the Nigerian Medical Association.

Idris acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s efforts in tackling insecurity, stressing that peace remained foundational to a thriving healthcare environment.

The association, however, urged the President to intensify efforts to ensure that every part of the country was secured against all forms of attack and insecurity.

The association also demanded immediate implementation of a revised salary scale and retention allowances for doctors to boost morale and curb migration.

It further called for swift resolution of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, describing it as critical to restoring trust and stability in the sector.

Idris listed additional demands, including comprehensive insurance coverage for doctors, describing it as a necessary shield against rising occupational hazards such as insecurity and workplace violence.

“Having carefully reviewed the prevailing conditions and challenges, the National Executive Council of NAGGMDP resolved that the government should intensify efforts to tackle insecurity across the country.

“The restoration of security remains central to reversing the medical brain drain, stabilising healthcare delivery, and enabling doctors to work in a secure nation. A healthy nation is a wealthy nation.

“We call on the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the Federal Ministry of Labour to urgently reconvene and resolve the Collective Bargaining Agreement without further delay.

“A functional and motivated medical workforce is indispensable to national development, and resolving the CBA is a critical step in restoring trust and stability in the health sector.

“We call on both federal and state governments to immediately enrol all doctors in a comprehensive insurance scheme as part of a broader welfare and retention policy.

“This is particularly necessary given the increasing occupational hazards, including insecurity, workplace violence and exposure to infectious diseases,” he said.

The association insisted that no doctor should work under conditions that would leave their families vulnerable in the event of untimely deaths.

It expressed its willingness to partner, dialogue and collaborate with all relevant stakeholders to achieve a sustainable, equitable and resilient health system for all Nigerians.

Nigeria’s health sector continues to face persistent challenges, including acute shortages of health workers largely due to poor remuneration, which has driven many medical personnel to migrate to the United States and Europe.

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