The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) states that the spate of insecurity in parts of the country has deprived Nigerians of access to quality healthcare.

Dr Ola Ahmed, the chairman of the Kwara branch of the NMA, made this statement in Ilorin on Tuesday during a news conference organized as part of the activities marking the 2023 Physician’s Week.

He said, “The spate of insecurity in our nation is unbearable and has negatively impacted our members and, invariably, healthcare delivery to our people.

“The fear of kidnapping, banditry, and armed robbery has significantly deprived our citizens of access to quality care, especially in the rural communities where the menace is rampant.”

Mr Ahmed appealed to governments at all levels and revered traditional leaders to review their approaches to tackling insecurity and come up with workable strategies to secure the lives and property of citizens.

He observed that the country is going through a difficult time, while the citizens bear the brunt.

He, however, assured that the association is exploring all peaceful avenues towards securing some economic relief for its members.

The NMA chairman also decried the slow pace of payment of their slightly improved salaries to members.

He appealed to the Kwara Government to immediately commence payment of the recently reviewed Consolidated Medical Salary Scale (CONMESS) and Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), along with their arrears and the Accoutrement allowances for medical doctors and dentists.

“I hope there won’t be a need for us to engage in another round of agitation for the implementation of what has been circulated since July 2023,” he said.

The NMA chairman, however, commended Governor AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq for his efforts in rehabilitating hospitals across primary and secondary healthcare facilities in the state.

He also commended the government’s initiative on health insurance for citizens, noting that KwaraCare is for the indigent to access healthcare affordably.

Mr Ahmed, who also noted the commitment of the Kwara government to recruit more doctors, lamented the dearth of doctors willing to stay due to the ‘Japa’ syndrome.

“Subsidy removal has eroded everything; our members are leaving. In the last few years, because of COVID-19, we have not been able to graduate doctors. But we are hopeful to get more young doctors,” he said.

Mr Ahmed explained that Physician’s Week is a time-honoured tradition and celebration of Kwara doctors, as well as doctors across Nigeria, who tirelessly work to improve the lives and health of citizens.

“Some of the activities marking the week include a Scientific Conference, discussions on medical doctors’ welfare, courtesy visits, and Young Doctors’ Day,” he said.

He further stated that the theme of the Physician’s Week is entitled: “This is Our Chance: To Get it Right in the Health Sector.”

He added that the sub-themes are: “The Abuja Declaration – 22 Years After’ and ‘The Ethical Issues in Human Organ Donation.”

(NAN)