Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, announced that his administration has initiated the recruitment of health workers to address the shortages in the health sector, emphasising that significant attention will be given to this crucial area.
He said this while speaking at the 47th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Association, with the theme, “Bridging the Gap in Healthcare Service Delivery: The Ondo State Doctors.”
Aiyedatiwa who was represented by his Commissioner for Health, Banji Ajaka, disclosed that his government is implementing policies to address gaps in health facilities in the state.
He said that the state health insurance scheme would allow the government to fund the sector significantly.
“Our Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has identified the gaps in the health sector and is bridging these gaps every day. He is providing quality health programmes for the people of the state.
“He has employed more health workers to fill the vacancies left behind by those who left the country for greener pastures,” Ajaka stated.
This is as the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ondo state chapter, hailed the state government over the approval of the implementation of enhanced Salaries for medical doctors through the domestication of the new consolidated medical salary structure.
The outgoing Chairman of Medical practitioners in the state, Dr. Omosehin Adeyemi-Osowe, who made this commendation, said this development will further boost the welfare of medical doctors in the state.
He noted that the current economic challenges have forced many doctors to seek opportunities beyond Nigeria’s borders, fleeing to escape hardship, poor pay, difficult working conditions and unemployment.
He attributed escalating fuel prices due to subsidy removals, rising inflation, the scourge of kidnapping and banditry, and many other factors as reasons why many health workers are seeking greener pastures outside the country.
He said, “This is a time marked by economic challenges, escalating fuel prices due to subsidy removals, rising inflation, the scourge of kidnapping and banditry, and many of our colleagues have sought opportunities beyond our borders.
“These challenges are forcing many health workers to leave the country with their families in droves.”
He, however, said that despite the mass exodus of medical doctors and others, some have decided to remain to serve their fatherland in the health sector, commending his colleagues for their doggedness, perseverance, and courage to remain and serve in Nigeria.
According to him, “Despite this mass exodus, your doggedness, perseverance, and courage to remain and serve in Nigeria stand as a testament to your dedication and patriotism.”
He listed some achievements recorded under his tenure, including the approval and implementation of hazard allowances and the domestication of a new entry point for young medical doctors into the state civil service.
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