There is only one doctor attending to every 4,000 people in Kaduna state, a huge shortfall from recommendations by the World Health Organisation, doctors there have claimed.But the challenge is internal brain drain, according to Abdulrahman Shehu, chairman of the association. He address journalists at the Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the NMA. Doctors in state employ are constantly moving to federal institutions and neighbouring states in search of better welfare.
“The remuneration of doctors in Kaduna state has become a matter that needs an urgent intervention in order to stem the tide of continuous brain drain occurring in the state,” he said.
“While we commend the state government for being regular and prompt with payment of workers’ salaries, we must put on record that as it stands, doctors in Kaduna are among the worst
paid across the country and particularly among states in the Northwest.
“We are engaging the state government and exploring all avenues of dialogue to persuade the state government to see the need to fulfill the agreement of 2012 when the state implemented 90percent of the old CONMESS with a plan to improve to 100percent by 2013. It is our hope that government will respond urgently,” he said.
Earlier, the president of NMA, Dr. Mike Ogirima described as very poor health care financing in Nigeria; saying the country is lagging behind in its budget allocation to the health sector.
The way out for health care system according to him is to provide enough funds for health sector and making sure primary health care centers work steadily.
He also advised that the national healthcare act come into play and operational.
Source:Pharmatimes
