There Must Be Good Welfare Packages For Doctors – Obasanjo

Former president, Olusegun Obasanjo has urged the Nigerian government to improve and prioritize the welfare of health practitioners.

He gave the advice on Thursday at the 44th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) held at the Federal Medical Center, Abeokuta.

The former President argued that the current economic hardship has contributed to health practitioners seeking greener pasture outside the country.

Obasanjo who was represented by the hospital’s Medical Director, Musa Olomu, lamented that the ‘Japa syndrome’ is seriously affecting the health sector as many specialized doctors have fled the country.

He said, “Resident doctors constitute the bedrock of whatever medical services any country is offering its citizens and Nigeria is not an exception.

“It is therefore very necessary for government at all levels to ensure that there are good welfare packages for the doctors without whom it will be impossible to render any meaningful service.

“Having seen the amount of works resident doctors are offering in our hospitals, I therefore appeal that we should see to their welfare. It is my hope that at the end of this conference, the Federal Government, the state and local government will set to improving the welfare of not only the doctors but all the health care workers.”