‘No Work, No Pay’ policy will destroy health sector – Ondo NMA warns FG

Tamarauemi Ebimini

The Ondo State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on Tuesday expressed concern over the Federal Government’s decision to enforce a ‘no work, no pay’ policy against striking members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).

According to NMA, the policy is a dangerous move for the health sector in the country.

In a letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, the chairman of Ondo NMA, Dr Omosehin Adeyemi-Osowe, and the secretary, Dr Adeayo Omotehinse, disclosed that the policy has potential consequences.

The letter, which was made available to the newsmen in Akure, the state capital, highlighted the prevailing challenges faced by the healthcare system, including brain drain and rising inflation exacerbated by the recent removal of fuel subsidy.

According to the letter: “The implications of these combined challenges on an average citizen’s future are alarming, considering the current ratio of one medical doctor to about 6,000 patients against the WHO recommendation of 600 patients to a medical doctor. It is needless to mention that the gap in patients’ ratio to a doctor will continue to increase astronomically in this circumstance.

“Therefore, access to quality healthcare may become increasingly limited, with shortages of skilled medical personnel affecting service delivery. This could lead to a public health crisis and a bleak future for the average citizen, where medical care remains a mirage.”