Japa: Only 650 Doctors Attend to Over 3.6m People in Kwara — NMA
By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Kwara Branch on Tuesday submitted that the association records only 650 medical doctors attending to over 3.6 million Kwara citizens.
Dr Ola Ahmed, the Kwara NMA Chairman stated this in Ilorin during a news conference organized at the commencement of the 2024 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Association.
Ahmed, who is rounding-up his two-year tenure of the Association, explained that despite many achievements recorded, there were challenges of dearth in healthcare workers who continue to leave for various factors.
He lamented that members are leaving in droves for greener pastures outside the state, as well as outside the country.
“A lot of our colleagues have been lost to brain drain in the name of Japa. This has really affected the delivery of services to the populace.
“Apart from economic hardship, insecurity and poor medical infrastructures are some of the other reasons for the migration of doctors and other health workers from the state and the country at large,” he said.
Ahmed, however, commended the Kwara Governor, AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq for the huge investment in healthcare delivery in the state.
He pointed out that AbdulRazaq also approved the Consequential adjustment of members as soon as it was approved, while observing that milestone will serve as motivation for their members to be committed and also discourage Japa.
The Kwara NMA chairman, outlined various achievements of the Association including contribution towards the establishment of Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH).
“We achieved the approval and payment of the adjusted 2019 Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), Skipping and Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF),” he said.
Ahmed also explained that welfare of members was paramount, as the Secretariat’s solar power system was upgraded, with dedicated internet service and furnished library among others.
He said: “Shortly after taking over as executive and in between, we had to address the involvement of some of our colleagues in alleged criminal activities.
“This almost affected the reputation of Doctors in the state. To the glory of God, we were able to avert it”.
Similarly, the NMA-Chairman explained that the activities of the 2024 Annual General Meetings includes Medical Outreach to National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Kwara State, Scientific Conference, sports and election.
He added that the theme of the conference will focus on: “Relationship of Doctors with the Community: Improving the Community Perception of Doctors”.(NAN)
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