Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The resident doctors in Enugu State Univesity of Science and Technology (ESUT) Teaching Hospital, Parklane, has lauded Gov. Peter Mbah for the giant strides his administration made in various sectors, especially health sector.
The doctors commended Gov. Mbah-led administration for advancement of her members from senior registrars to consultants and recruitment of over 100 new resident doctors, consultants and other support staff for quality healthcare delivery.
This commendation is contained in a statement signed by Dr Ofonere Chukwunonso and Dr Nnamani Ikemefuna, who are the President and General-Secretary of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) ESUT Teaching Hospital, respectively on Sunday.
The statement appreciated the administration for upgrade of the security and surveillance architecture in and around the state teaching hospital and support of accreditation for several departments to promote training of resident doctors and medical students.
According to the statement, the government recent positive input included the cashless payment policy and digitalisation of patient care through electronic medical records system, upgrade of schools of nursing to college status to train more nurses and paramedics in the state.
“Gov. Mbah has recently delivered new ambulances and upgrade of the accident and emergency complex to better align with international best practices, implementation of a policy system to reward productivity among hospital staff and payment of improved hazard allowance,.
“The government recently approved the renovation of all the toilets and bathrooms in the wards of the hospital to ensure safety and comfort of patients and staff.
“We have witnessed the flag-off construction of hundreds of model type-2 primary health facilities in each of the 260 political wards in the state,” the statement said.
The doctors also commended the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the state teaching hospital, Prof Ngwu B.A.F, for imbibing the governance philosophy of Gov. Mbah and positively turning around the hospital within a very short period of time.
It said: “The CMD is commended for his commitment to ensuring that all departments in the hospital obtain full accreditation, as well as his undertaking of massive infrastructural upgrade projects aimed at repositioning the teaching hospital as one of the top 10 tertiary health centers in Nigeria.
“The resident doctors specially appreciate Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, the special adviser to the governor on health, Dr Yomi Jaye and senior special assistant to the governor on revenue, Mrs Okebu Adenike, who worked to ensure optimal outcomes and prevent crisis in the health system.”
The statement, however, tasked the state government on accelerating the process of payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to Resident Doctors in the State Teaching Hospital, as is obtainable in several other states.
It also tasked the government on urgent upward review of the salaries of medical doctors in the state, to reduce the suffering occasioned by the worsening economic down turn, and lower the rate of brain drain of medical doctors.
According to the statement, the brain drain of medical doctors is currently alarming with attendant negative effects on the health indices for the state.
“The resident doctors are also requesting for employment of more house officers, in line with the recent upgrade of quota by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
“The resident doctors constitute a major and critical workforce in any teaching hospital and their welfare and well being should to be prioritised by the hospital management and the state government.
“The resident doctors are ready and poised to ensure industrial harmony and smooth running of the state teaching hospital,” the statement said.
It said that the resident doctors pleged to assist the government in making Enugu State a center of Excellence in healthcare and a prime destination for local and international medical tourism.
“The resident doctors are asking the good people of the state to support government in its efforts and vision to change the face of Enugu State and position it as one of the top states in Nigeria and Africa, in terms of human and capital development,” it added.
