The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has called for health sector policies that would enhance productivity, empathy, respect and inclusivity for health workers.
NMA Lagos State Chairman, Dr Babajide Saheed, said this in a message to celebrate the May Day on Thursday.
Saheed noted that any policy of the government which doesn’t effectively resolve brain drain or “Japa Syndrome” is a waste of time.
According to him, such policies will not work without the driving force of human resources.
Saheed appealed to governments at all levels to promptly resolve the issue of ‘Japa syndrome’ through better remuneration in terms of non-taxable call duty allowances.
He also called for an increase in professional allowances according to the national inflation rate.
The NMA leader highlighted better and sustainable welfare packages which included affordable housing loans or mortgages, and affordable car loans as incentives that would encourage retention of health workers.
Saheed further called for an improved and conducive health sector environment through training and retraining, research grants, better equipment and infrastructural development.
The NMA leader called for the payment of skipping arrears as promised by the Federal Government in 2024.
He also advocated for the conversion of medical lecturers and medical doctors in the university, medical health centres and polytechnic to CONMESS salary structure.
“The government should ensure an immediate end to locum appointments for doctors in all public health facilities,” Saheed said.
Saheed called for the withdrawal of the Consultant Pharmacy cadre in the clinical settings by the Federal Government to prevent chaos, confusion and anarchy in patient care.
He argued that the consultant pharmacy cadre didn’t have any additional value to the management of patients in the clinical settings.
Saheed emphasised that the dignity of Nigerian workers, especially healthcare professionals, must be preserved, urging the federal and state governments to create an enabling environment for both the public and private sectors to thrive.
May Day, also known as Labour Day or International Workers Day, is set aside to celebrate workers’ contributions to the nation’s economy.
Every year on May 1, people across the globe observe May Day to honour the contributions of workers and commemorate their long-standing struggles for fair treatment, better wages, and safer working conditions.
This year’s celebration has the theme: “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the Midst of Economic Hardship.”
NAN
