The state chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr Omakoji Oyiguh has called on the Kogi state government to prioritize the implementation of the revised 2014 CONMESS from September 2020 as agreed.
The Chairman made the call when the executive members of the association paid courtesy visit to the Olu of Oworo land, HRM. Mallam Mohammed Adoga Baiyerohi Agbosi II on Tuesday in Lokoja.
Oyiguh noted that their counterparts in Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja and other neighbouring states have been benefiting for over six years stressing that they are yet to negotiate with the government to implement the new minimum wage since the funds accruing to the State is dwindled.
“It is very important for the Kogi State Government to improve on the welfare of doctors as they have continued to lay down their lives for the people. It will be very disastrous if Kogi State witness another mass exodus of doctors,” he emphasized.
According to him, government is a thing of continuity, as he commended the election that brought him to power adding that he is determined to make NMA more vibrant and visible in the next two years.
He described as worrisome the continuous closure of FMC Lokoja stressing that many residents had been denied accessibility to good health care service since they could not afford the fee of some private hospitals which according to him is on the higher side in a depressed economy.
“We have been calling for the reopening of FMC Lokoja that has been closed for over three months after suspected hoodlums invaded the centre. The people of Kogi State are the ones at the receiving end of this closure,” he said.
The chairman, however, commended the State House of Assembly in their role towards the reopening of the hospital adding that there is need for all relevant stakeholders to come together to ensure that the citizens get good health care delivery.
The Chairman, while commending the immediate past administration of the association led by Dr Kabir Zubair for his achievements in two years, hinted that they are in the palace of the paramount ruler to get his blessing and secure partnership for the success of the organization.
Responding, the Olu of Oworo land wished the new executive a very prospective tenure, adding that his reign in Lokoja has been eventful and fruitful.
He admonished doctors to engage the government with adequate dialogue, greeted with patience and humility in a bid to achieve their welfare package in the state.
On the closure of FMC, the paramount ruler maintained that dialogue is never exhausted, adding that it is a continuous process which should be looked upon towards achieving the goals of medical doctors in the state.
The state commissioner for health, Dr Saka Audu, on September 11, assured medical doctors that the state government will begin implementation of CONMESS by ending of September 2020.
