…Seeks 65-year retirement age for clinical health workers
By Chidinma Chukwu, Abuja
ABUJA — The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has called on the Federal Government to urgently conclude and implement the outstanding Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with health workers, warning that continued delays are fuelling dissatisfaction and encouraging the migration of medical professionals from the country.
The association also called for the implementation of the 65-year retirement age for clinical health workers as part of measures to retain experienced professionals and address the shortage of skilled personnel in the health sector.
The NMA made the demands on Friday at a press briefing in Abuja following resolutions reached at its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.
Presenting the communique signed by him and the association’s Secretary-General, Dr Tamunokuro Diamond, the NMA President, Prof. Afekhide Ernest Omoti, said prolonged delays in addressing the concerns of health workers had contributed significantly to dissatisfaction within the workforce.
Omoti urged the Federal Government to conclude, approve, sign and implement the outstanding CBA in time for its provisions to be captured in the 2027 Appropriation Bill.
The association said retaining experienced clinicians had become increasingly important amid the shortage of skilled healthcare professionals and the continued migration of medical workers.
It said implementing the 65-year retirement age for clinical health workers would help retain experienced personnel while the country addressed the broader challenges of workforce shortages and migration.
Insecurity threatens healthcare delivery
On security, the NMA expressed concern over worsening insecurity across the country, describing kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and killings as major threats to national security and a public health emergency.
It said healthcare workers could not effectively serve communities when their lives and safety were constantly under threat.
The association therefore called on the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to tackle insecurity and strengthen protection for healthcare workers and facilities, particularly in vulnerable communities.
It also appealed for the safe release of a medical practitioner from Niger State who, according to the association, had reportedly been in captivity for about four months.
The NMA said: “Healthcare workers are essential to the survival and wellbeing of our communities. They should not have to choose between serving their patients and protecting their own lives.
“The NMA therefore makes a strong appeal to the Federal Government and all relevant security agencies to intensify efforts to end banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other forms of insecurity across Nigeria.
“We particularly urge government to strengthen security around healthcare facilities and personnel in vulnerable communities and ensure that every effort is made to secure the safe release of the abducted doctor and all other citizens being held in captivity.”
NMA seeks tax relief for doctors
The association also called for tax waivers, rebates and other relief measures for healthcare professionals in both the public and private sectors.
It expressed particular concern over multiple taxation of doctors operating private hospitals and the high cost of electricity, noting that such expenses could ultimately be transferred to patients.
“Medical practitioners and other healthcare workers provide essential services under demanding and often hazardous conditions, including working long hours, responding to emergencies and providing care in underserved communities.
“The NMA therefore calls on the Federal Government to consider and grant appropriate tax waivers, rebates or other tax relief measures to medical practitioners and other healthcare professionals, both in the public and private sectors.
“Doctors in private hospitals need special protection from multiple taxation and the heavy electricity tariff burden, whose cost may ultimately be transferred to poor Nigerian patients,” the association said.
The NMA added that such measures would contribute to improving the welfare and retention of health professionals in Nigeria.
It also called for the universal applicability of salaries, wages and income to doctors, irrespective of their places of employment, including federal and state institutions, universities and local government areas.
Bad roads hamper healthcare delivery
On access roads to healthcare facilities, the association expressed concern over the poor condition of roads across the country, saying the situation was having serious consequences for healthcare delivery.
It said bad roads could delay patients from accessing emergency care, impede referrals, disrupt the transportation of medicines and medical supplies, and make it difficult for healthcare workers to reach underserved communities.
The association therefore called on governments at all levels to prioritise the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of roads leading to healthcare facilities, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Drug abuse among youths
The NMA further raised concern over the growing prevalence of drug and substance abuse among young Nigerians, describing it as an emerging public health emergency with serious consequences for mental health, families, communities and the country’s productive workforce.
It called on the Federal Government to declare drug and substance abuse among youths a national public health priority.
The association urged the government to strengthen prevention and public enlightenment programmes, regulate access to harmful substances, and expand mental health and addiction treatment services at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels of healthcare.
Omoti acknowledged the government’s investments in healthcare infrastructure and service delivery but stressed that infrastructure alone could not guarantee an effective health system without a motivated, adequately protected and properly remunerated workforce.
He said the NMA remained committed to working with the government to address the challenges confronting the health sector, adding that the association’s demands were aimed at strengthening the healthcare system.
“We are partners with government in the development of Nigeria’s healthcare system. Our criticisms and demands are therefore made in the spirit of constructive engagement and a genuine desire to build a healthier, safer and more prosperous Nigeria.
“We acknowledge the progress being made by government in several areas of healthcare infrastructure and service delivery.
“However, we urge government to match infrastructure development with investment in the healthcare workforce.
“A hospital building without doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and other skilled professionals cannot provide the quality of care Nigerians deserve.
“Nigeria is losing some of its finest medical professionals to other countries because of difficult working conditions, insecurity, inadequate remuneration, limited career opportunities and other systemic challenges. “This trend must be urgently reversed,” the association said.
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