The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Ekiti State Branch has commended the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji for repositioning the health sector since he took over as governor of the state.
This was contained in a statement jointly signed by the NMA Ekiti State Chairman, Dr. Babatunde O. Rosiji and Secretary, Dr. Moses B. Dada.
While commending the state government for ensuring that his promises to the association were fulfilled towards an improved health care system in the state, they urged residents of the state to to show understanding with health workers for efficient service delivery.
The statement reads: “Mr. Governor has shown that as a true father of the the state, he is a man of integrity whose words can be relied upon.
“Following the meeting he had with our Association in November 2022 soon after inauguration where our Association presented the problems bedeviling the health sector in the State and proferred possible solutions, Mr. Governor said he identified with the challenges and promised to actualize the recommendations we made to him.
“He emphasized the premium his administration attaches to the health sector and promised to do everything possible to make the workers happy.
“We are delighted that less than a year after the reassurances, the promises he made have become a reality.
“Mr. Governor has repositioned the health sector in the State by ensuring among others the approval of hazard allowance and pay parity for clinical workers.
“The approvals of Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), release of funds for capital projects across hospitals and the recent increase in the subvention of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital alongside other tertiary institutions in the State will bring a lasting solution to the recurring financial problems in the institutions.
“These interventions will in no small measures boost the morale of health workers in the State and we strongly believe that these will definitely slow the velocity of both internal and external migration of doctors and other health workers from the State.
“We call on all and sundry to join hands with our Governor in ensuring that EKITI makes the desired progress.
“While we condole with the Governor and the good people of Ekiti State on the murder of the driver of the Apostolic faith group of schools and two traditional rulers in the State, we want to commend the governor and security operatives on the role played in the rescue of the recently abducted school children and we believe they will leave no stone unturned to identify the perpetrators of this gruesome and barbaric act and others promoting crime and violence in the State.
“While we use this opportunity to also appreciate the security agencies for the hard work they are rendering to keep the state safe, we call on them to do more.
“We encourage every citizen of the State to join hands with the government towards building the Ekiti of our dreams.
“We equally use this medium to appeal to citizens of the State to show understanding with health workers while seeking treatment across the hospital network in the State. While we promise to offer the best health care services possible, we advise citizens not to resort to the barbaric practice of assaulting health workers as we experienced of recent.”
