The Nasarawa chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has called on the government to introduce life insurance for medical doctors working in various health facilities in the state.

Sabo Emmanuel, NMA chairman in the state, made the call while delivering his address at the 2022 annual general meeting of the association on Tuesday in Lafia.

Mr Emmanuel, who gave a report of his stewardship in the office, having served the association in the last two years, said life insurance for doctors is imperative because of the hazardous nature of their job.

He explained that not too long ago, two senior doctors died of Lassa fever while attending to a patient, and there is little or nothing to take care of their families.

He added that doctors had no choice but to attend to patients regardless of their conditions; as such, they are vulnerable to diseases.

The chairman also decried high tax being deducted from their members on the state government’s payroll.

He appealed to the government to review the tax downward in line with the relevant laws to sustain industrial harmony.

The chairman expressed gratitude to members of the association for their support to the present officials and appealed to them to extend similar support to the incoming officials.

Meanwhile, Tuko Moses, in a presentation entitled, “The concept of dialysis in renal replacement”, said dialysis could be very effective if properly done.

He said dialysis could sustain a patient’s life for a long time in a way that such a patient could live a normal life.

Mr Moses, however, said the cost for dialysis “is high, and the public ought to seek medical attention early when the symptoms are discovered”.

On his part, Haza Gwamna, executive chairman, Nasarawa State Health Insurance Agency, appealed to NMA to embark on massive advocacy for everyone to join the health insurance scheme in the state.

(NAN)