The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on Thursday urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to call Governor Rauf Aregbesola to order over the withdrawal of medical services by doctors in Osun State and the ensuing health crisis which the governor seems unmoved about. Aregbesola is presently in Saudi Arabia with President Buhari who is away on a week-long journey.
The call is coming on the heels of the crisis bedevilling the health sector in the state, where doctors and the state government have had a stand-off for the past six months over doctors’ conditions of service.
“The Secretariat of the Nigerian Medical Association in Abuja has been inundated with the reports of infant and maternal morbidity and mortality occurring daily as a result of the complete collapse of healthcare in certain sections of Osun State,” a statement signed by NMA Secretary General, Dr Adewunmi Alayaki, said.
“This is consequential upon the withdrawal of services by doctors who have not been paid full salaries for six months.
“Health is seen as one of the cardinal points used by political parties to canvass for votes during campaigns hence, it should not be neglected by any government.”
“Health workers should be remunerated and motivated adequately and promptly because they deal with lives, the attendant effect of not doing so by any government could be disastrous.”
