Adebayo Adenrele
…hails Oyebanji over approval of new Hazard Allowance, others
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ekiti State Branch has knocked the Federal government over plans to stop the funding of Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
The Ekiti State NMA Chairman, Dr Babatunde Rosiji, stated this on Monday in Ado-Ekiti at a Press Conference, to commemorate 2023 Physicians’ Week.
He noted that the plans to stop the funding in 2024 is tantamount to disaster, adding that Doctors and Dentists do not have the financial capacity to run the affairs of the Body that regulates their profession.
He called on the President Bola Tinubu’s administration to continue to fund the Body in the interest of the health and wellbeing of the Citizenry.
The statement read in part, “The plan to stop funding Medical and Dental Council (MDCN) from next year to us is ill conceived and can only lead to disaster. The job of MDCN which is regulation of medical and dental practice is so important that funding her by government is appropriate.
“If we stop funding the MDCN, I wonder who we want to do it? Probably the doctors and dentists will take over funding a body that regulates and may punish them if necessary.
“Let us remember that he that pays the piper may dictate the tune. We call on our dear government to continue to fund MDCN in the interest of the health and wellbeing of our citizenry.”
The Body also hailed the giant strides of Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti state in the health sector, through the approval of new Hazard Allowance, MRTF and pay parity for clinical workers at HMB, within a year of his assumption into office.
He noted that while they have made a resolve to toe the path of advocacy and Dialogue in the interest of Ekiti people, Oyebanji has been attentive to their demands and have been accomodating them with positive ideas.
“I must single out the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji for his dogged commitment and resolve towards making the health sector in Ekiti State work. While we have made a resolve to toe the path of advocacy and dialogue in the interest of Ekiti people, we have been equally blessed with a Governor who has listening ears and who is accommodating of positive ideas.
“The approval of the new hazard allowance, MRTF and pay parity for clinical workers at HMB are sincere steps to match the promise made by the Governor early this year. Mr. Governor, during the meeting with you earlier this year, you sent me ‘tell your colleagues to be patient with me, I will make them happy’.”
On insecurity and kidnapping, NMA bemoaned the menace of kidnap of doctors and dentists and their relatives, saying it has become a daily event to the point of desensitization.
NMA made reference to the cases of Cross River, Enugu, Benue, Kogi and Akwa Ibom, stressing that the government and Nigerians are no longer moved by their plights.
Dr Rosiji declared that the body will not stop campaigning against Kidnap and insecurity of colleagues, while calling on Government at different levels to take drastic action towards the security of medical practitioners.
