The House of Representatives yesterday encouraged the Federal Medical Colleges, the Federal Hospitals, and the Teaching Hospitals and Centres to grant financial support and exemptions on incidental costs of replacing, resigned, and retrenched health workers.
This came after Hon. Uju Chima Kingsley delivered a resolution headed “Need for the Replacement of Health Workers Who Have Migrated to Other Countries in the Wake of the COVID–19 Pandemic” on Thursday assembly.
In his move, Kingsley mentioned the significant flight of indigenous healthcare staff to foreign nations in quest of brighter fields, particularly after the pandemic.
“A radical approach needs to be taken to fill the gap in the health sector, through massive recruitment and replacement of health workers as well as an upgrade in the remuneration of workers in the health sector.
“An effective stakeholders’ engagement of the relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies would serve as a catalyst to effecting the reforms”, he said.
In addition, Mr Kingsley stated that health professionals’ mass departures and widespread apathy are mostly due to the inadequate remuneration provided to them despite the risks they face.
He believes that the number of COVID–19 cases may grow too large for the current medical workers, increasing the risk of the virus spreading further.
The House ordered its Committee on Healthcare Services to conduct a frequent and systematic examination of the implementation of the much–needed changes after passing the motion.
