The Nigerian Medical Association has called for health sector policies to enhance health workers’ productivity, empathy, respect and inclusivity.

NMA’s chairman in Lagos, Babajide Saheed, said this in a message to celebrate May Day on Thursday.

Mr Saheed noted that any government policy that doesn’t effectively resolve brain drain or “Japa Syndrome” is a waste of time.

According to him, such policies will not work without the driving force of human resources.

Mr Saheed appealed to governments at all levels to promptly resolve the ‘Japa syndrome’ through better remuneration for non-taxable call duty allowances.

He also called for increased professional allowances according to the national inflation rate.

The NMA leader highlighted better and more sustainable welfare packages, which included affordable housing loans or mortgages and affordable car loans as incentives that would encourage the retention of health workers.

Mr Saheed further called for an improved and conducive health sector environment through training and retraining, research grants, better equipment and infrastructural development.

The NMA leader called for the payment of skipping arrears as promised by the federal government in 2024.

“The government should ensure an immediate end to locum appointments for doctors in all public health facilities,” Mr Saheed said.

Mr Saheed called for the federal government’s withdrawal of the consultant pharmacy cadre in the clinical settings to prevent chaos, confusion and anarchy in patient care.

He argued that the consultant pharmacy cadre had no additional value in managing patients in the clinical setting.

Mr Saheed emphasised that the dignity of Nigerian workers, especially healthcare professionals, must be preserved, urging the federal and state governments to create an enabling environment for both the public and private sectors to thrive.

(NAN)