*Japa: Dearth of Healthcare Workers As 650 Doctors Attend To Over 3.6 Million Patients – NMA*
The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Kwara Branch has raised an alarm on Tuesday that only 650 medical doctors is attending to over 3.6 million people in Kwara.
The NMA Chairman, Dr Ola Ahmed affirmed this in Ilorin during a press conference ahead of the 2024 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Association.
Dr. Ahmed, who is rounding up his two-year tenure as chairman, claimed that in spite of many achievements recorded in the sector, the challenge of dearth of healthcare workers was cause for concern.
Ahmed said that health workers continue to leave for greener pastures outside the state in their multitudes and the country as a whole for various reasons.
“A lot of our colleagues have been lost to brain drain in the name of Japa. This has really affected the delivery of services to the populace”.
“Apart from economic hardship, insecurity and poor medical infrastructure are some of the other reasons for the migration of doctors and other health workers from the state and the country at large,” he said.
The NMA Chairman however commended Gov. AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq of Kwara for the huge investment in healthcare delivery in the state.
Ahmed highlighted that AbdulRazaq also approved the consequential adjustment of members’ salaries as soon as it was approved, while observing that the milestone would serve as motivation for its members to be committed and discourage “Japa.”
He outlined various achievements of the association, including contributions towards the establishment of Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH).
“We achieved the approval and payment of the adjusted 2019 Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), Skipping, and Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF),” he said.
The NMA Chairman further said that welfare of its members was paramount, as the Secretariat’s solar power system was upgraded with dedicated internet service and a furnished library, among others.
Ahmed further elucidated that the activities of the 2024 Annual General Meetings include medical outreach to the state secretariat of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), scientific conferences, sports, and elections.
Ahmed said that the theme of the conference is “Relationship of Doctors with the Community: Improving the Community Perception of Doctors.” (NAN).
