NMA Boss Blames Poor Welfare For Manpower Dearth In Health Sector

The Chairman of Rivers State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association(NMA), Dr. Ebbi Robinson has blamed dearth of manpower in health sector to poor welfare.
He told The Tide Health that brain drain in the health sector will persist if welfare and renumeration are not tackled.
“It has been affirmed that Nigerian medical doctors are one of the best in the world and yet they prefer working outside the country” Dr. Robinson remarked.
He observed that the environment is not conducive it leads to fatique and mental exhaustion.
“So what we are advocating is for promotion and motivation to medical doctors, if not they will continue to leave the country to where they are better remunerated,” Robinson said.
While commending the State Government for improving facilities and medical facilities in the state, Robinson noted there is still serious lag in manpower.
Said he, “ Rivers state is above national average when it comes to medicare, but welfare is still required to sustain the system.”
He commended the governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for upgradement of tertiary medical facilities such as the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Cancer and  Cardiovascular Centre but urged for maintenance and expertise manpower to sustain the facilities.
Scoring the state high on tackling communicable diseases, he lauded proactive measure taken by the Rivers State Primary Health Care Board in reducing disease burden in the state.
However, he urged the general public to take issues of health serious, and always visit and consult medical experts for ailments, and avoid quacks.

By: Kevin Nengia