…as Ekiti NMA Holds Scientific Conference
By Precious Oham
A Medical Expert and Permanent Secretary, Ekiti State Hospitals’ Management Board, Dr. Alabi Olasunkanmi has called on the federal government to increase the wages of healthcare workers in the country to end brain drain.
Dr. Olasunkanmi stated this on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti during his virtual presentation on the theme of the 2024 Physicians’ Week of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Ekiti State Branch titled: “Ensuring Universal Applicability in Remuneration: A Panacea to Talent Retention in Health Care Industry.”
He regretted the poor working conditions and inconsistent remuneration of health workers saying that it has aided the reduction of patient care and increasing workloads.
The expert called for the implementation of a universally applicable remuneration system that would serve as a transformative approach to addressing Nigeria’s healthcare talent retention crisis.
He said: “By ensuring fair and competitive compensation, Nigeria can create a more stable, motivated, and committed healthcare workforce that can adequately meet the nation’s health needs.
“This approach not only promises to reduce brain drain but also fosters a culture of equity, making the healthcare sector more resilient and capable of providing quality patient care.
“Addressing remuneration as a universal right could indeed be a panacea for Nigeria’s healthcare challenges,fostering a sustainable system that values and retains talent for the long term.”
The sub-theme Speaker and Consultant Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases Physician, Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Dr. Ariyo Olumuyiwa delivered his lecture on “Mitigating the Impact of Infectious Diseases: Addressing the Monkey Pox Outbreak and Beyond.”
Dr. Olumuyiwa identified the preventive measures of infectious diseases to include; isolation of patients, reduction of human transmission, vaccination, among others.
He also urged government at all levels to strengthen the healthcare system especially as it relates to infection prevention and control adding that is very important for mitigating the
impact of infectious diseases.
The Scientific Conference and Opening Ceremony of the 2024 NMA Ekiti Physicians’ Week was declared opened by the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani, represented by Dr Ayodele Seluwa.
The Commissioner congratulated NMA for organizing the Physicians’ Week while appealing for their support and collaboration in the state government’s programs, especially the 10m free screening for hypertension and diabetes.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Local Organizing Committee Chairman and Vice Chairman 2, NMA Ekiti State, Dr. Adeleye Tomiwa said that the health sector will be better positioned on the path of ensuring that workers are happy to discharge their duties as a result of the scientific conference.
Also, the NMA Chairman in Ekiti State, Dr. Oreyemi Ifedayo decried that the harsh economic realities has played a major role in affecting the health of the citizens of the country.
While using the opportunity to applaud the state government for their significant impact on the healthcare sector, he noted that the theme of the Physicians’ Week remains vital to Nigeria’s chance at retaining the health workforce.