The Nasarawa State Commissioner for Health, Dr Gaza Gwamna, on Friday announced that nine doctors have officially resigned their services from the state.
The Commissioner made the disclosure shortly after meeting with leaders of various unions in the health sector in Lafia, the state capital.
Dr Gwamna said contrary to recent media reports that 59 doctors left the state for greener pastures abroad over poor renumeration, only nine of the them wrote to the government of their intention to resign at the end March 2024.
He stated that the issue concerning the resignation of medical doctors was grossly exaggerated.
Dr Gwamna, however, said plans are underway to implement the improved hazard allowance for medical doctors and other healthcare workers in the state.
“There is no time in the history of Nasarawa State that 59 medical doctors left our hospital facilities at once.
“What I know is that nine doctors have given notice that they will be leaving at the end of this month. Some will be going to the Jos University Teaching Hospital in Plateau State, while others will be going to the Federal Medical Centre Keffi, Nasarawa State.
“We are aware that there are issues about hazard allowances and promotion arrears. But I would like to assure the general public that efforts are underway to address these issues.
“We are also working hard to improve our healthcare services. Our expectation is that by the time we leave office in 2027, public hospitals in Nasarawa State will be significantly enhanced,” he explaned.
The commissioner explained that the state government had directed that the financial implications of the outstanding promotions, hazard allowance, CONMESS and CONHESS be computed with a view to implementing them.
“The Federal Government had approved the adjusted Hazard allowance, CONMESS and CONHESS and the State Government is working to implement it in the next few months,” he said.
He appealed to the unions in the health sector to show more understanding with the government assuring that government would do everything possible to ensure better welfare for all civil servants.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) said it has already issued a 14-day ultimatum to the state government over welfare issues affecting its members.
Chairman of the association, Mr. Attah Ayaka-Avre, told journalists that the ultimatum would expired on April 2.
He added that the association would decide on the next line of action if their demands were not met before the stipulated date.
He listed some of their demands to include payment of hazard allowance, reviewed CONHESS, outstanding promotions, payment of 2023/2024 uniform allowance among others.
Also, Dr. Mohammed Salihu-Ozegya, the Chairman, Medical and Dental Consultant Association, Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH) branch confirmed that some of their colleagues sent the communication on their resignations to the state government.
Salihu-Ozegya said the decision of the doctors to resign from the state’s service was due to differences in the renumeration gap between the state and federal government.
He urged the state government to urgently implement the reviewed allowances and salary structure to halt further exodus of medical practitioners from the state.
