Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Kwara State branch, yesterday, disclosed only 650 medical doctors attend to over 3.6 million population in Kwara.
NMA Chairman, Ola Ahmed, stated this in Ilorin during a news conference ahead of the 2024 annual general meeting and scientific conference of the association.
Ahmed, who is rounding-up his two-year tenure as chairman, said in spite of many achievements recorded in the sector, the challenge of dearth of healthcare workers, was a cause for concern.
The NMA chairman said health workers in their multitudes continue to leave for greener pastures outside the state and the country for various reasons.
“A lot of our colleagues have been lost to brain drain in the name of ‘Japa’. This has really affected the delivery of services to the populace.
“Apart from economic hardship, insecurity and poor medical infrastructures are some of the other reasons for the migration of doctors and other health workers from the state and the country at large,” he said.
Ahmed, however, commended Governor AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq for the huge investment in healthcare delivery in the state.
He pointed out that AbdulRazaq also approved the consequential adjustment of members’ salaries as soon as it was approved, while observing that the milestone would serve as motivation for its members to be committed and discourage ‘Japa’.
The Kwara NMA chairman outlined various achievements of the association, including contribution towards the establishment of Kwara State University Teaching Hospital.
“We achieved the approval and payment of the adjusted 2019 Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, Skipping and Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF),” he said.
Ahmed further said welfare of its members was paramount, as the secretariat’s solar power system was upgraded, with dedicated internet service and a furnished library provided among others.
The NMA chairman said the activities of the 2024 annual general meetings includes medical outreach to the state secretariat of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, scientific conference, sports and election.
He said the theme of the conference is: “Relationship of Doctors with the Community: Improving the Community Perception of Doctors.”