NMA says prioritising healthcare financing by all tiers of government is critical to reversing the brain drain in the health sector.
The chairman, Isaiah Abali, and secretary, Daniel Ekeleme, stated on Saturday in Umuahia that doctors at Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) were owed 24 months’ salaries.
Mr Archibong noted that the Cross River government and the security agencies facilitated the freedom of the abducted four.
The two medical doctors were abducted on Friday alongside two others at Ikomita section of the Calabar-Ikom Highway.
“Brain drain has worsened the doctor-patient ratio as the ratio is now one doctor to 10,000 patients.”
NMA has blamed the rising maternal and infant mortality in the country to brain drain in the health sector.
“There is (a) dearth of manpower for mental health in Nigeria. On the Plateau, we have only six psychiatrists serving a population of over 5,000,000 persons.”
The beneficiaries, numbering over 600, were checked and treated for blood pressure, blood sugar level, malaria and eye condition.
The NMA said the legislation was against the chatter signed by African countries on establishing the board for African traditional medicine.
Ikpeazu owes ABSUTH and the Health Management Board 21 months and 11 months of salaries, respectively.
