The Cross River State Government is intensifying efforts to retain medical professionals and strengthen healthcare delivery through improved remuneration, fresh recruitment, extended retirement age for frontline health workers, staff accommodation and expanded opportunities for specialist training.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, disclosed this on Monday when the newly elected executive committee of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Cross River State branch, paid him a courtesy visit in Calabar, assuring the doctors that the Governor Bassey Edet Otu administration was committed to creating an enabling environment for health professionals to work and build their careers in the state.
Ayuk expressed appreciation to the NMA, doctors, nurses and other health professionals for their continued partnership with government, stressing that the progress recorded in the sector could not have been achieved without their cooperation. He also commended Governor Otu for decisive steps taken to improve security in the state, noting that insecurity had previously affected the attractiveness of Cross River as a destination. “The Governor has done decisively well in the area of security. Today, Cross River has reclaimed its position as a secure state where people can come, visit and even spend their weekends,” he said.
On the welfare and retention of doctors, Ayuk said the government had ensured full payment of performance-related entitlements and improved doctors’ take-home pay, while Governor Otu had approved the recruitment of 40 additional doctors, including between five and 10 consultants. More than 200 other health personnel had also recently been engaged and deployed, with the first 13 doctors already shortlisted for the new recruitment exercise. “We are doing everything possible to address the issue of attrition. We have approved the employment of 40 doctors, and we are also bringing in consultants because we need to strengthen the specialist workforce,” he said. The recruitment is part of the government’s wider effort to improve staffing across the state’s 17 public hospitals. (Cross River State News)
The Commissioner further explained that the decision to extend the retirement age of frontline health workers from 60 to 65 was aimed at retaining experienced personnel whose knowledge remained valuable to the health system. He, however, stressed that the extension was not automatic, as eligible workers would be required to apply and demonstrate continued fitness and capacity to serve. “There are people who retire at 60 and are still very strong and experienced. So, we felt that if they are still fit and willing to serve, we should retain that experience in the system,” Ayuk said. The policy applies to frontline health workers and excludes those in administrative positions. (Premium Times Nigeria)
On staff accommodation, Ayuk said the ministry was working with relevant government agencies to recover and rehabilitate staff quarters around the General Hospital Calabar and other locations. He noted that some of the quarters had been occupied by individuals who were not serving the health system, stressing the need to restore them to their original purpose. YAccording to him, the NMA would have representation in relevant structures to ensure that professional expertise contributes to policy and regulatory decisions. “We want a system that is properly regulated, where everybody operates within the scope of their training and competence,” he said. The government has previously identified anti-quackery, the Drug Management Agency and Hospital Management Board as key components of its health-sector reforms. (Cross River State News)
The Commissioner assured the new NMA leadership of the ministry’s continued openness to professional input, saying government would work with the association to address emerging challenges and improve healthcare delivery. “If we do not work together, we will fail. The support of the NMA and the cooperation of our doctors are critical to what we are trying to achieve,” Ayuk said.
Responding, the NMA Chairman, Dr. Pius Agweye, said the courtesy visit was part of the association’s tradition of engaging key stakeholders in order to strengthen collaboration and improve healthcare delivery. He commended the government for the extension of the retirement age, approval to recruit 40 doctors and the anti-quackery initiative, but said the state still faced a shortage and uneven distribution of medical personnel. He advocated residency training in designated state hospitals, incentives for medical students and doctors, and improved accommodation for health workers posted to rural areas, with the goal of ensuring that residents could access specialist care within 30 to 45 minutes regardless of where they lived.
The NMA Public Relations Officer, Dr. Saviour Egeh, also called for the revival of the partnership between the state government and the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Calabar, saying renewed collaboration would provide opportunities for resident doctors to obtain specialised training while reducing the cost and burden of travelling to Calabar for mental healthcare services.
The NMA executives comprised Dr. Pius Agweye — Chairman; Dr. Mina Okwejie— Vice Chairman; Dr. Ukam Edadi — Secretary; Dr. Verval Egbe — Financial Secretary; and Dr. Saviour Egeh — Public Relations Officer.
The meeting was also attended by the Director of Medical and Dental Services in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Stephen Agbor, and the Director of Health Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Chris Ushuasung.
By Kingsley Agim
