The Medical Guild has congratulated His Excellency, Mr
Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu the new governor of Lagos state on his recent inauguration
along with his Deputy, His Excellency, Dr. Kadri Hamzat, and their wives: Dr.
Mrs. C. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu and Mrs Oluremi Hamzat.
According to the statement released to the press, Dr.
Babajide Saheed, Chairman of the Medical Guild stated that the development of
the health sector is part of the new Governor’s administration’s six (6) rules for
development, which is captured by the acronym “THEMES” being: Traffic
Management and Transport, Health and Environment, Education and Technology, Making
Lagos a 21st Century Economy, Entertainment and Tourism, Security
and Governance.
“The health sector,” said the Guild’s chairman, “is an
important sector in the socio-economic development, as the provision of affordable,
accessible and qualitative healthcare to the populace is of primary importance
in the drive towards the attainment of a developed society. And the development
in the health sector can be achieved through:
“Replacement of staff who leave the system and
recruitment of more health workers, necessary for the increasing population of
Lagos, which should be a continuous process, Focusing on infrastructural
development in the Health sector with the provision of standard and well
equipped primary, secondary and tertiary health institutions in the state. This
will enable the provision of qualitative health care which will meet the
international standards. Increment in the retirement age of medical doctors
from 60years to 65years, with cessation of contract appointments, to allow
experienced hands to continue to provide useful service, thus enhancing quality
of healthcare. Appointment of Medical doctors as permanent secretaries at Lagos
State Health agencies in accordance with the Lagos State Health Reform Law of
2006 for effective and comprehensive administration in the health sector. The
Convening of a Lagos State Health Summit, to deliberate on the issues affecting
the health sector in the state, in relation to; human resources, professional
activities, infrastructural development, and administrative issues among the
agencies in the Health Sector (HSC, LASUTH, MOH, PHCB). This will bring synergy
among these agencies, and will enhance healthcare delivery.”
The Guild also suggested a provision of welfare
packages to the health workers through: housing loans (rent-to-own), car loans/
provision of car, accommodation for LASUTH resident doctors and house officers and
other categories of doctors, befitting accommodation for the health workers, ensuring
better remuneration for health worker, prompt payment of honorarium for the
honorary consultants in LASUTH, establishment of recreation centres for health
workers. These will encourage and increase the efficiency of the health workers
in the provision of health services to the populace.”
Other suggestions included: “All states Primary Health
Centres should have doctors, which will reduce pressure on the secondary and
tertiary institutions, a major step towards the achievement of Universal Health
Coverage. Renovation of the Cardiac and Renal centres in Gbagada General
Hospital with modern equipments and staffing with indigenous health workers to
reduce medical tourism and discourage/ reduce brain drain of health workers to
other countries. Reduction in political interference in the delivery of
healthcare, by allowing the health specialists or experts to make health sector
policies for the state. Review of the newly inaugurated Lagos State Health
Scheme in order to provide equitable, accessible, affordable and qualitative
health care delivery with universal coverage. Establishment of Children
hospitals in the three(3) senatorial districts to reduce Neonatal and Children
Mortality and Morbidity rate in the state. Allocation of an association
bus to Medical Guild as was done for other unions/associations in the state
through the office of the Head of Service. Allocation of space for a permanent
secretariat in the premises of General Hospital, Gbagada. Restoration of the
statutory NMA-appointed members to the boards of LASUTH, PHCB, HEFAAMA, LASHMA
and Hospitals governing boards. These are mechanisms of conflict resolution,
feedback to the government and maintenance of standards. This appointment of
NMA representatives to the boards of Lagos State health agencies is backed by
Lagos State Health Sector Reform Law 2006.”
While pledging readiness to work with the new
administration, the Chairman of the Medical Guild appealed to the
administration for call duty allowances to be declared non-taxable, in order to
reduce the massive tax burden of members of the Guild.
No comments:
Post a Comment