Imo State Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association has condemned the state government’s plan to hand over the management of public hospitals to private individuals.
The state Chairman, Dr. Hyacinth Emele insisted that concession will deny the poor access to basic healthcare.
Emele said “A case study is the recent concession of Imo State specialist hospital, Umuguma to his former SSA on health, Dr Sylvanus Amaechi.
“If the state government hands off its responsibilities on issues as burdensome as health where it is needed most, one wonders what other use a government will serve for the people.”
He also criticised the state government for owing health workers eight months’ salary including the workers of the Imo State University Teaching Hospital, IMSUTH, who are owed five months arrears.
He said “This means that Imo State will not be able to produce medical doctors for three consecutive years.
“The deliberate act by the state government in withholding salaries of doctors as well as other health workers despite the release of bailout funds by the Federal Government is both criminal and cruel. It is an inhuman act that should be condemned by all and sundry.”
Meanwhile Osun state branch of NMA has given Osun State government has issued a 7-day ultimatum to the state government to pay its members.
In a statement by the state Chairman and Secretary of the NMA, Dr. Suraj Ogunyemi and Dr. Adeola Ajibare at the weekend, the association said “The NMA held a stake-holder’s meeting to critically discuss the decision of ARD, LTH and OSAMDO to embark on this avoidable strike and resolved to stand by these unions following the refusal of the state government to pay the outstanding salary arrears, deductions and other allowances.
“The NMA Osun is not a party to the purported Memorandum of Understanding MOU between the Nigerian Labour Congress NLC and the Osun State Government because such MOU is not in the interest of resident doctors and medical and dental officers working in the state.”