From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Kogi chapter, has decried the delayed in payment of monthly salaries of doctors working with the tertiary hospitals such as Kogi State Specialist Hospital (KSSH) Lokoja and Prince Abubakar Audu Teaching Hospital Anyigba.
The NMA also expressed dismay over the human resource gaps in various health Institutions at all level in the state.
The position of NMA was made known in Communiqué issued at the end of the NMA ordinary General meeting (OGM), with the theme: “Retire Early, Retire Ready”, held at Federal University Lokoja (FUL).
The communique which was jointly signed by Kogi NMA Chairman and Secretary; Dr. Baoku Olusola and Dr. Emmanuel B.J Kelvin respectively, was made available to journalists on Saturday in Lokoja.
According to the communique, the affected doctors are agitative and restive and hence calling on Kogi Government to prioritize the salaries of doctors and other health workers in the state.
The association also urged the state government to recruit more doctors, to fill up available gaps in various health institutions in the state.
The association further appealed to the Governor to approve and implement various welfare packages to doctors in the state, including but not limited to the new Hazard allowance.
The NMA, however commended the Governor for the giant strides in the infrastructural investment in the health sector in various locations in the state.
They expressed their profound appreciation to God Almighty, Gov. Yahaya Bello (CON), and all the members of his cabinet.
The NMA also appealed to the Governor to support the three doctors in the state who are currently on sickbed.