Pulse.ng : Doctors need alternative sources of income -NMA

By Stella Kabruk

The Chairman of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Kaduna Chapter, Dr Sheyin Madaki, has said that Doctors in the contemporary economic hardship needed alternative sources of income.

Madaki said this at the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Monday in Kafanchan LGA of Kaduna State.

The theme of the AGM was “Doctor’s well-being in current Nigerian economy: A call for alternative source of income”.

He said the need for doctors to get alternative sources of income could not be overemphasised, adding that they must begin to look at entrepreneurship, mentoring, business and innovative ideas as additional streams to help solve the challenges of their low income.

Madaki stressed that the present economic realities that has hit the nation, further calls for urgent intervention by government through immediate alleviation of the sufferings by way of palliatives, incentives to workers, tax rebate and others.

“The last one year has had its own fair share of challenges as regards the wellbeing of doctors in the present economic realities

“The State Officers’ Committee along with support of affiliate leaders have left no stone unturned in ensuring that the worsening welfare of members in the state that is the number one push factor is squarely addressed through continuous engagements with government and other agencies,”he said.

The NMA Chairman added that the many challenges of State doctors had been of paramount concern, however noting that significant gains was made and still ongoing with the new government in the state.

He said the present government has shown political will and commitment in addressing the lingering and neglected issue of doctors’ welfare for over a decade.

He noted that being the first time in history that NMA held its AGM in Kafanchan and the Southern Zone at large, demonstrates unity and inclusiveness for all doctors in the State.

“I believe we are on course to a new dawn in NMA Kaduna. Unity, stability, transparency and accountability has been of utmost priority to us,” Madaki said.

He thanked the Governor of Kaduna state, Sen. Uba Sani, his deputy and Commissioner of Health for the concerns and commitments they show towards ending the suffering of healthcare workers in the State.

Earlier, the Governor of Kaduna State, Sen. Uba Sani, said that provision of health is central to his government’s ‘Sustain Manifesto’.

Sani, represented by the State’s Commissioner of Health, Hajiya Umma Ahmed, said they were resolved to “Build and strengthen a healthcare system that is preventive in approach, well-equipped and staffed, accessible and affordable, and oriented to deliver a decent standard of care”.

He noted that in illustrating the commitment of his administration to health matters, the first bill he signed into law on assuming office was the Public Health Law.

Sani explained that the law provided institutional framework to achieve One Health System’ made up of three sectors of Health, Environment and Agriculture because of the interplay that exists in terms of causation and prevention of diseases in public health system.

“It cannot be overstated that a healthy population is paramount if we are to improve national productivity, drive development and improve our overall human capital indices.

“In doing this, the role of doctors is pivotal,”he said.

Sani therefore restated his administration’s determination to improving the welfare of doctors so they would be placed in positions to be able to discharge their duties satisfactorily and without distractions.

“This is why we take seriously our ongoing negotiation with our Association of Resident Doctors(ARD),”he noted.

Speaking further, Gov Sani said it was not a lost on his administration that the complex interplay between economic realities and the demands of healthcare could pose substantial challenges to the individuals who devote their lives to caring for others.

He therefore acknowledged that the idea of seeking alternative sources of income within the medical community was not just pragmatic response to economic pressures, but also an opportunity for professional growth and diversification.

“It opens avenues for innovation, collaboration, and the expansion of the frontiers of medical practitioners beyond the boundaries of medical practice,”he added.

Gov Sani noted that the international economic meltdown which was brought about by COVID-19 in 2021 still lingers.

He said the Russian-Ukraine war, international souring prices of oil and the removal of petroleum subsidy in Nigeria have combined to devalue workers take home, noting
that Nigerian doctors are no exception.

He however said that the Government is currently working on salary increases across board, stressing that it would not really solve the problem because of frequent corresponding increase in prices in the market.

“Each employee must find ways to augment their formal incomes as government puts other micro-economic measures in place, as for our doctors, whatever you decide to do must be ethical and agreeable with your professional calling.

“I challenge this conference to come up with passive income streams that satisfy outlined criteria agreed by participants. These criteria should ensure that doctors do not compromise their primary responsibilities to their patients and society,”Sani said.

He implored the Doctors to engage in thoughtful discussions during the meeting, share experiences, insights, and ideas that could contribute to the well-being of doctors in Kaduna and Nigeria as a whole.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)