The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has nominated Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike for the exalted “NMA Healthcare Merit Award” in recognition of his outstanding projects and programmes in the healthcare sector.
Announcing the nomination of the Governor for the prestigious award during a congratulatory visit by the Rivers State chapter of the NMA on the re-election of the Governor yesterday in Port Harcourt, Chairman of NMA Rivers State, Dr (Mrs) Obulebra Adebiyi said the state Chapter of the medical professionals nominated the Governor for the award.
She explained the reason for the nomination: “In view of the far-reaching impact of your numerous developmental projects in the health sector and by the recommendation of NMA Rivers State, you have been nominated by the NMA President, Prof Francis Faduyile, the National Officers Committee and the National Executive Council for the highly esteemed “NMA Healthcare Merit Award “.
“This award is conferred by the NMA on State Governors with exceptional performance especially in the Health Sector, evidenced by the improved quality of healthcare in the state, better-equipped healthcare centers, the proximity of healthcare centers to rural dwellers in the state and better healthcare delivery indices within the period under review”.
She said that the prestigious award would be conferred on the Governor at the National Delegates Conference of the NMA at Abakaliki in Ebonyi State adding that the re-election of Wike was an expression of appreciation by the good people of Rivers State for his performance.
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“Your success is an eloquent expression of the desires of Rivers people and a clear demonstration of their satisfaction with the giant strides of the past four years.
“The NMA has in several forum echoed the achievements in the area of revamping health infrastructure in the state evidenced in the renovation of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, the brand new Mother and Child Hospital, construction of Model Health Centres, General Hospitals and the construction of Doctors Quarters in the RSUTH “.
She commended the Governor for developing the College of Medical Sciences and the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital to train more medical professionals for the state.
Dr.Adebiyi urged the Rivers State Government to facilitate the passage of the State Health Insurance Bill by the State House of Assembly for the good of Rivers people.
In his response, Governor Wike appreciated the NMA for the prestigious award saying that his administration would use the second term to address outstanding areas of development.
He declared that the award will spur him to greater service saying: “We had an interactive session with the NMA before the elections and the doctors assured me of their support. This victory is not for any particular person. It is for Rivers people.
Wike added: “With what happened, it is important for all of us to work together to develop the state”.
He announced that the 7-Month entitlements owed House Officers will be settled by his administration and directed the placement of the House Officers stipends under the management of State Ministry of Finance.
Governor Wike expressed displeasure with the refusal of private medical professionals in the state to repay the loans arranged for them the state government.
“I want to bring to the notice of the NMA the failure of Private Medical Doctors to repay the N500m loans guaranteed by the State Government. Most of them, since they collected that money, none of them have paid a dime. Instead, they claim it is their share of the state resources. This act by the doctors will make it impossible to start the second phase of the loan scheme for private medical practitioners to develop their hospitals “, he said.
He announced that the funds for Residency Training of doctors will be released later in the week by his administration.
The Governor added that the State Health Insurance Health Bill to be passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly will come into operation during his second term. Â
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