In a bid a address burnout and shortage of human resource for health in Federal Tertiary Hospitals (FTHs), Federal Government has ordered Chief Medical Directors of all FTHs to double their intake of personnel.
Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ms Daju Kachollom mni, made this known at a meeting with the Hon. Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Bar. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha and the Leadership of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), led by Dr. Dele Abdullahi.
The meeting was convened to engage with NARD over issues the association had raised in a recent correspondence to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Speaking, Daju who said that the directive to the CMDs had already taken effect, stated that this was in addition to the planned training of frontline health workers and other government measures to tackle the issue of shortage of manpower in Federal Tertiary Hospitals.
She further highlighted concerted efforts by the Ministry to improving the country’s healthcare system and working conditions of healthcare workers, mentioning that expansion and upgrade activities was in progress in various hospitals across the country, including strategic collaborations to increase interventions such as the ongoing consultations with the Federal Ministry of Power on the provision of Solar Systems for all FTHs.
With regards to increased renumeration she said that such conversations must be had with the relevant MDAs present. But for the delayed implementation of allowances and owed salaries, she said the Ministry had written as well as met with the National Salaries Income Wages Commission and was waiting on a feedback. Adding that in the coming days government will begin payment of the 2024 MRTF.
However, she lamented the incessant attacks on health workers especially doctors across the country citing the recent occurrence at the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja which she described as disheartening. And noted that the Ministry had set in motion plans to engage with security agencies including the NSA to find preventive measures against these attacks.
In the meantime, she said that efforts are ongoing to beef up security in the hospitals through perimeter fencing, installing of CCTV amongst others.
The permanent secretary while appreciating the Minister of States for calling the meeting, as it afforded NARD the opportunity to put in perspective the issues affecting the association, appealed for the review of Collective Bargaining Agreements especially as it concerns validity to avoid having unending agreements that hampers effective implementations of these agreements.
She assured all present that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare will continue to keep track of all CBAs to ensure complete implementation in the interest of industrial harmony.
SOURCE: Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (on X –@Fmohnigeria)