By Onwa Ekor, Calabar
Following the exodus of some medical and health personnel from Nigeria to other neighbouring countries, popularly known as japa syndrome, Cross River governor, Prince Bassey Otu, has charged members of the Nigerian Medical Association, to continue to offer sacrifices for the good of their fatherland.
Otu gave the charge, Tuesday when members of the Association led by its National President, Dr. Uche Ojinmah, paid a courtesy visit on him, in Calabar, the Cross River capital.
The governor who also applauded a few medical practitioners who stayed back in spite of foreign pressure to leave for greener pastures, averred that the sacrifices laid by these few, remain a testament and commitment towards good governance in the country.
“For any nation to be great, there has to be major sacrifice. At times, those sacrificial investments are by subsections either of the economy or the populace and I believe that some of the people we need most are the medical people, not just doctors but the whole health infrastructure and health ecosystem because it is very clear that there is competition for these medical and health personnel all over the world and we have that in a very short supply.
“Health is prime and I want to thank you all for staying back as many have left for greener pastures, but there has to be people who must sacrifice for a greater tomorrow, because almost all the countries that are doing well and attracting almost the best of hands, there was a time some people stayed back and paid, some even the supreme price at the instance of trying to provide a foundation for a strong and virile nation.
“Renewed Hope has come in with some agenda which I believe that in the long run, it will change Nigeria because so many difficult decisions that were avoided for quite a long time which finished the economy completely, I think those hard decisions have been taken.
“The pains are severe quite alright, but I want to appeal that we bear the pains, it will be over in not too long a time,” the governor assured.
Continuing, Otu remarked that his administration would build on the gains and achievements of the past in ensuring that the citizenry enjoy a brighter future, a development he further disclosed that, counterpart funds for various health projects are being paid, areas that need health facilities are being worked on and delivery of consumables made easy to, hard-to-reach areas.
“We might not be paying very well now, give us a short time we will pay more than any Nigeria state, I can assure you,” the governor appealed.
Earlier, Dr. Ojinma, applauded the urban renewal programme of the present administration, explaining that, “I know how I got to my hotel last time and I know how I got to the hotel this time. The tar is still fresh and it is a significant testimony to what you, the governor have been doing.”
The NMA National President also remarked, “some people don’t understand that aesthetic is part of good health. It is better to live in a clean comfortable environment and be poor than to live in a slum and be rich because what could kill you could be in the air.”
The President who said his team is in Calabar for Annual conference and delegates meeting of NMA, also appealed for the recruitment of more doctors into the state civil service as well as the implementation of the new salary scale for doctors.
