“Domesticate FG’s Health Insurance Scheme” - Doctors Tell Governors

On Sunday, the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP) called on the governors of the 36 states of the Federation to domesticate the FG Health Insurance Scheme in their various states.

The National President of NAGGMDP, Dr. Sofiri Peterside, made this statement while addressing the press on Sunday after the association's National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at Akwanga Local Government Area (LGA), Nasarawa.

He said that domesticating the health insurance scheme in the 36 states will help in the reduction of the harsh socio-economic situation affecting Nigeria.

Adding to the statement, Sofiri Peterside told newsmen that federal civil servants and their counterparts were already benefiting from the scheme.

He also stressed the fact that some critically ill patients have found it demanding to pay their hospital bills, and medical practitioners had to take it from there to make sure they got the treatment they deserved.

Also, Peterside said that a universal health insurance scheme will help improve the healthcare needs of Nigerians, especially those who are vulnerable in society.

In the briefing to newsmen, Peterside also said that Nigeria was losing some of its best health practitioners due to low pay, which has forced these individuals to look for better opportunities outside the country.

He said that the shortage of doctors was putting lots of pressure on the ones available to work in Nigeria, despite the poor working conditions.

He also stated that based on the WHO doctor-patient ratio, it's one doctor to 600 people, but here in Nigeria, it's one doctor to 20,000 people, which was very sad.

Dr. Sofiri Peterside also called on the Federal Government to stop the compulsory retirement of Directors on Grade Level 17 after serving on the level for eight years; he added that the policy was an anti-career progression for medical doctors.

He stated,

• For instance, medical doctors join government services either at Grade Level 12 or Grade Level 13 after graduation. A few years later, the doctor got to Grade Level 17.

• If the doctor is compelled to proceed with compulsory retirement after serving for eight years, it means his retirement age is around 50 or 52 years.

• A well-trained medical doctor who has been forced to retire at the age of 50 or 52 years will prefer to go to other countries that will pay him better.

• He will also work there beyond 60 years of age.

• Governments at all levels must implement a new minimum wage without further delay, cushioning the effect of the hardship imposed by the removal of fuel subsidies.

• The government at all levels must implement a new minimum wage without further delay, cushioning the effects of the hardship that is being faced due to the removal of fuel subsidies by President Bola Tinubu.

He also said that the government should do more to strengthen security to stop the ongoing kidnapping of medical personnel.

After that, Peterside requested a review of the Hazard and Call Duty allowances of doctors and the upgrading of medical facilities to curtail medical tourism.

Also in the press briefing, Dr. Thomas Gonji, the Nasarawa State chairperson of the association, said that the meeting provided insight and a show of high experience on how to move the health sector forward.

The NEC meeting, which was held for 3 days, had in attendance delegates from the 36 states, including the FCT.