NAGGMDP warns against kidnapping of doctors

From TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt

The National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners ( NAGGMDP) has warned that it would not hesitate to down tools should any of their members in any state be kidnapped or assaulted henceforth.

This is even as the body has called on President Bola Tinubu to revamp the security architecture in the country to end kidnapping and other forms of assault on the citizenry.

The NAGGMDP also called on the Federal Government to review its economic policies to cushion the harsh effect of the subsidy removal on the people.

This was contained a communique issued by the body at the end of its National Executive Council Meeting (NEC) held in Lokoja, Kogi State recently, with the theme, “The Role of Telemedicine in Enhancing the Health of Rural Dwellers and
People With Disabilities” and sub-theme, “Cholera Outbreak in Nigeria: A Call For Action”.

The communique signed by the National President, Dr. Sofiri Starson Peterside, Jnr, and the
Deputy Secretary General, Dr. Anas Alhaji Idris respectively, said the harsh economic situation in the country is encouraging the ‘Japa” syndrome and making life unbearable for the populace.

The communique reads in part: “NEC observed with dismay and serious concern the escalating
hardship faced by Nigerians since the inception of the current
administration due to the unplanned and controversial fuel subsidy removal which has led to soaring inflation, crime surge,
unprecedented levels of poverty, and poor accessibility of healthcare services.

“These have impacted negatively on the quality of life of healthcare
professionals and the populace, promoting the “jappa” syndrome and making life unbearable for millions of Nigerian citizens.

“NEC is very distressed and expresses deep concern over the
escalating kidnapping crisis in Nigeria, where medical doctors are
increasingly becoming soft targets for abduction, with alarming
frequency and impunity, highlighting a catastrophic failure of the national security system.

“The fragile and failing national security architecture has resulted in the recent captivity of more than five medical doctors, alongside a trail of unreported cases, ransom
extortions, and devastating consequences for families and loved ones.

“NEC also observed with great concern the report highlighting
excessive spending and profligacy in governance, both at the
national and sub-national levels, exposing disproportionate
remuneration packages among different sectors and professional
fields. A case in point is the overbearing cost of maintaining the federal legislators, which starkly contrasts with the precarious status of the national minimum wage, and raises concerns around equity and fairness.”

It added: “NEC has observed the unbearable rise in cases of malnutrition and other diseases among vulnerable populations, especially among People With Disabilities (PDW), under five children and pregnant mothers,
which has resulted in a surge of preventable diseases and mortality
rates, underscoring the imperative for swift intervention.

“NEC frowned at the growing number of new medical
infrastructures built but abandoned, notably the Cardiovascular Center and Mother/Child Hospital in Rivers State, Cancer Center in Kano State,
among others, due to gross manpower shortage, poor needs
assessment and lack of provision of medical equipments”.

Following the observations, the body, “urged the Federal Government to review current economic policies to alleviate the suffering of the masses, especially vulnerable groups, mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal by ensuring functional local refineries and petroleum product production,
stopping multiple taxation on essential commodities, providing modern mass transportation system, expanding national health
insurance coverage to include all vulnerable groups, increasing
budgetary allocation to healthcare that conforms with global best
practices.

“NEC urges the Federal Government to revamp its security
strategy framework, emphasizing the need for advanced intelligence
gathering, technological innovation, and inter-agency synergy to
prevent and combat terrorism, thereby safeguarding national
security.”

The NEC also, “Demands prudence and accountability in governance,
urging for swift implementation of the minimum wage across all tiers
of government and an urgent review of the salary structure for medical doctors and other healthcare workers considering the
essential services they offer the populace, and thereby promoting
equity and fairness in salaries and wages across professional bodies.

“NEC also resolved to take drastic action in withdrawing services
if any member is assaulted or abducted from any of our member
states, and will be implemented across the country, in solidarity and support to the affected member and state.”

The body equally, “Appealed to Federal and State governments to urgently begin massive recruitment of healthcare professionals into the health workforce to address the current healthcare service delivery gaps, prevent burnout, fatigue and other forms of work related stress
currently experienced by the alarmingly low numbers of existing
healthcare staff in the country.

The NAGGMDP in the communique also advocated for commitment from government at all levels to activate policies and laws that protect and promote the rights and welfare of PWDs.