COVID-19 inducement allowance: Akwa Ibom health workers at war with government
By Imaobong Bassey
Health workers in Akwa Ibom under the aegis of National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners, (NAGGMDP), have demanded the payment of Covid-19 inducement allowance from the State Government.
This was contained in a communique raised and jointly signed by the Chairman and the Secretary, Dr. Enobong Akpan and Dr. Ekerette Ekanem, respectively and made available to newsmen at the end of General Meeting of NAGGMDP in Uyo.
The Association said that other States of the Federation including the Federal Government had since paid their health workers the Covid-19 inducement allowance, adding Akwa Ibom was yet to pay its workers.
They lamented that about 60% of doctors plying their trades at different Teaching Hospitals in the Country as Resident doctors are already dropping out of the programme owing to lack of funding by the state government and eventual negligence.
NAGGMDP, who commended the state government on some major renovation and upgrade of some hospital facilities, urged that doctors on in-service training undergoing residency program once they pass part 1 examinations of the postgraduate colleges should be promoted.
They also demanded immediate payment of residency training grant to their members undergoing residency training from the state government.
Similarly, The association maintained that the 2015 Leave Grant owed doctors should be paid, adding that salary arrears of doctors employed in 2019 by the state government should be paid without further delay.
Other demands said, “government should as a matter of urgency activate a more robust response to COVID-19 as a result of the recent increase in the number of confirmed cases in the state. This will help in curbing the spread of the virus and stop needless loss of lives in the state.
“Government should as a matter of importance pay the Covid-19 inducement allowance to all health workers in the State as other States of the Federation including the Federal Government had since paid their health workers the Covid-19 inducement allowance.
“Government should restore payment of monthly subventions to the Hospitals to enhance smooth running of the State owned hospitals.
“Government should sign without delay the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency Bill to law, to give the people of Akwa Ibom access to qualitative healthcare services. The ongoing out-of-pocket expenses for health services in the state has indirectly caused unwarranted morbidity and mortality among citizens.
“Government should implement Skipping of entry point for doctors in civil service as is done in other states and the federal government. This skipping of entry point will allow retention of best brains in the State as they will be at par with their counterparts in other States of the Country.
“To protect doctors and other health workers in the State, hospitals should be adequately equipped with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), it added.
However, NAGGMDP who said that the congress will meet in four weeks to review the response of Government to these demands, pledged to unflinching support to the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel and promise to partner the State where necessary for effective healthcare delivery.
