Following the outbreak of Lassa fever in the country that claimed the lives of two of its members, the National Association of Resident Doctors has appealed to Federal Government to compensate the family members of the deceased doctors and other health providers who lost their lives to the deadly disease.
The dead resident doctors are Dr Living Jamala and Dr Charles Bamidele in Rivers and Osun State respectively.
Speaking on various issues through an eighteen points resolution contained in a communique, issued at the end of a week-long council meeting held at University College Hospital, Ibadan, the National President of NARD, Dr Muhammad Askira aid as a result of the casualties recorded by the doctors and Health workers, implored government to revisit and review the hazard allowance.
He noted that this is necessary because the paltry N5, 000 hazard allowance for healthcare providers is grossly inadequate.
“Government at all levels must enhance the capacity of our healthcare institutions with adequate facilities for containment of any form of disease epidemics. This is because Nigeria has the capacity to put in place adequate measures for prevention, diagnosis and management of almost all tropical illness. “He said
While attributing the lassa fever scourge to the dilapidating condition of both the primary and secondary levels of health care, Askira noted that the universal applicability in terms of policy guide on issues bordering on clinical governance and remuneration is yet to be attained in all the three levels of care through the three tiers of government.
He further urged the government to revamp the primary and secondary levels of health care as a measure that will ensure universal health coverage in all dimensions and equitable access to quality healthcare by all Nigerians.
The NARD boss enjoined the federal government to accelerate implementation of the National Health Act without further delay, saying that will not only positively impact on the lives of Nigerians but also improve healthcare legislation and effective quality service delivery in the country.
He also implored the FG and the National Assembly to promptly intervene in the industrial dispute between her members and the State of Osun government, so as to expeditiously resolve the crises before it escalates into national disharmony.
