Adebayo Adenrele
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ekiti State Branch, has called on Governor Biodun Oyebanji to approve the payment of 2024 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) resident doctors and doctors on approved study leave for residency training at the HMB.
This was stated in a communique read at the conclusion of the 27th annual general meeting of the association by the newly elected state chairman, Dr Oreyemi Ifedayo.
Speaking with journalists in Ado-Ekiti on Friday, Dr. Ifedayo said the approval will not only make life easier and better the resident doctors but will also enable them to bring advanced expertise into the profession.
The chairman also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to implement import duty and value-added tax (VAT) waivers on drugs and other medical consumables to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for Nigerians.
He explained that such a policy would not only help reduce the spate of sudden deaths among Nigerians but also create a more conducive environment for health practitioners in the country.
He said, “The AGM urges the President to use his good offices to ensure the implementation of import duty and VAT waivers on drugs and medical consumables to make healthcare affordable for Nigerians.
“This will undoubtedly help in preventing sudden deaths among Nigerians. Efforts must also be made not only to strengthen the NHIA to cover the majority of Nigerians in the pursuit of Universal Health Coverage but also to ensure the implementation of the newly increased NHIA capitation rates.”
Addressing the ongoing nationwide protests, the association urged the federal government to respond to the protesters’ concerns about economic policies to improve the living conditions of Nigerians.
They also called on the government to review the palliative measures for Nigerians so that the needy and vulnerable can truly benefit from the interventions.