Kwara NMA applauds Abdulrazaq on healthcare delivery

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Kwara State chapter on Tuesday commended Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for approving and paying the Adjusted 2019 CONMESS, Skipping, and Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) for members in the state government service.

Addressing a press conference to mark the 2024 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the association in Ilorin, the NMA chairman, Dr. Ola Ahmed, said that the significant investment in healthcare delivery by the present administration has helped curb the exodus of medical doctors from the state.

However, he noted that medical doctors face serious hardships due to the worsening national economic situation, making it challenging to generate income as the available resources are not sufficient to meet their needs.

According to him, many of his colleagues have left the country for developed nations due to poor remuneration, inadequate facilities, insecurity, among other factors. He mentioned that this development has negatively affected healthcare delivery to the populace.

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Dr. Ahmed stated that a total of 650 medical doctors are in the state to cater to a population of 3.5 million people, adding that many of his colleagues have left the country in what he called ‘japa’.

“I can’t put a figure to it. Japa is at different levels. People japa from state service to federal or from Kwara to another state. Then some also leave the country completely. You would just discover that your member has tendered their resignation. And these things are done in secrecy. You would just hear that someone is already in Europe. It’s only when you try to reach them by phone that you confirm the exodus.

“It’s difficult to put a figure to it, but many have left the service of Kwara.

“These doctors left the country due to multidimensional reasons. First is insecurity. Poor infrastructure, poor equipment in our facilities, as well as poor remuneration, are other reasons. Our take-home pay doesn’t take us home. Interestingly, people think because you’re a doctor, you’re richer than others,” he said.

The NMA chairman also urged the state government to approve the consequential adjustment for the doctors as soon as it is approved.

He said that the approval will serve as motivation for members to be more committed to service and also encourage those contemplating on ‘japa’ to stay back.

Regarding membership welfare, the chairman noted that they conducted medical screenings for members of the association during Physicians Week and provided both financial and emotional support to members with medical conditions and the families of deceased members.