TheNewsGuru

Tag: doctors

  • Africa needs services of 11m doctors, nurses, teachers to avert impending ‘disaster’- UN

    Africa needs 11 million more doctors, nurses and teachers by 2030 to prevent a “social and economic disaster” that could propel millions to migrate, the UN said on Thursday.

    It said the 11 million were needed to help the continent cope with a booming population, with the number of children set to increase by 170 million to 750 million in the next 13 years.

    “We are at the most critical juncture for Africa’s children,” Leila Pakkala of the UNICEF said in a statement.

    “Get it right, and we could … lift hundreds of millions out of extreme poverty, and contribute to enhanced prosperity, stability, and peace,” said Pakkala, who heads UNICEF operations in eastern and southern Africa.

    The UN’s children agency attributed the boom in births to high fertility rates, a rising number of women of reproductive age and lower child mortality.

    UNICEF said by the end of the century, one in two children worldwide will live in Africa.

    If they reach working age both schooled and healthy, they could spur economic growth – but for that to happen, Pakkala said investment in education and health were badly needed.

    UNICEF added that more schools must be built.

    The UN agency said that teachers, doctors, midwives and health workers must be trained and encouraged to stay in their community rather than move to cities or abroad.

    More than one in five Africans aged six to 11 are not in school.

    Girls, in particular, are more likely never to see a classroom, waylayed by child marriage and teenage pregnancy.

    Six in ten Africans lack access to basic sanitation and on average there are only 1.7 medical professionals per 1,000 inhabitants, well below the minimum international standard of 4.45 set by the WHO.

    To bridge the gap, 5.6 million health workers and 5.8 million teachers have to be trained by 2030.

    If it fails to invest in its future, Africa risks a “demographic disaster, characterised by unemployment and instability,” UNICEF said.

    It painted a picture where a lack of jobs, rapid urbanization and climate change could force millions to flee the continent seeking a better life overseas.

    Robert Yates, a health expert at the British think tank Chatham House, said 11 million teachers and medics was a challenging goal but not unfeasible, as shown by the rapid development of some Asian countries, such as Thailand and China.

    The UN agency added that this required a strong political will to boost public spending on health and education – rare in sub-Saharan Africa.

    Nigeria, which currently accounts for 20 percent of all Africa’s births, for example spends only 0.9 per cent of its GDP on public health, one of the lowest rates in the world.

    Exceptions in recent decades included South Africa, Rwanda and Ethiopia.

     

     

    Reuters/NAN

     

  • ‘Monkey Pox’ outbreak hits Bayelsa as doctors, 10 others are quarantined

    ‘Monkey Pox’ outbreak hits Bayelsa as doctors, 10 others are quarantined

    Information reaching TheNewsGuru.com now has it that a new viral epidemic known as “monkeypox” has broken out in Bayelsa State.

    A medical doctor and 10 other persons who came down with the monkeypox had been quarantined in an isolation centre created at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH) Okolobiri, Yenagoa local government area of the state.

    The isolation centre was reportedly created by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the epidemiological team of the state’s Ministry of Health to stop the spread of the disease.

    It was learnt that the NCDC and the epidemiological team were tracking 49 other victims, who had come in contact with the infected persons.

    The state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Ebitimitula Etebu, who confirmed the development, said samples of the virus, had been sent to the World Health Organisation (WHO) laboratory in Dakar, Senegal, for confirmation.

    He described monkey pox as a viral disease caused by a group of viruses that include chicken pox and small pox, adding that the first case was noticed in the Democratic Republic of Congo and subsequently had outbreaks in West Africa.

    Saying the virus has the Central African and the West African types, the commissioner said the West African type is milder and has no records of mortality.

    “Recently in Bayelsa State we noticed a suspected outbreak of monkey pox. It has not been confirmed. We have sent samples to the World Health Organisation (WHO) reference laboratory in Dakar, Senegal. When that comes out we will be sure that it is confirmed. But from all indications, it points towards it,” he said.

    He said as the name implied, the virus was first seen in monkey, but could also be found in all bush animals such as rats, squirrels and antelopes.

    Etebu added: “The source is usually all animals. It was first seen in monkeys and that is why it is called monkey pox. But every bush animals like rats, squirrels, antelopes are involved. So, the secretions from particularly dead animals are highly contagious.”

    The commissioner listed the symptoms of monkey pox as severe headache, fever and back pain amongst others, adding that most worrisome of all the signs were rashes bigger than those caused by chicken pox.

     

  • Doctors suspend 7-day warning strike in Osun

    The Osun Chapter of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), on Tuesday, directed its members working with state government to resume work after a seven-day warning strike over salary arrears and poor working condition.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the doctors began the strike on Sept. 18.

    The directive for resumption of work is contained in a communiqué jointly signed by the NMA Chairman, Dr Tokunbo Olajumoke and Secretary, Olalekan Ajayi.

    It said that the strike was suspended due to the intervention of well-meaning stakeholders, who assured the association that the state government would address their grievances.

    The association said the strike became necessary because of the poor condition of facilities in state hospitals and poor welfare.

    According to the communiqué, the poor facilities have affected the quality of health care services rendered to citizens and had negatively affected the health indices of the state.

    “Osun had experienced an unprecedented brain drain in the health sector as a result of the various unimaginable welfare challenges facing doctors in the employment of the state which had caused an alarming instability in the sector,” the association stated.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that some of the issues in contention include “inappropriate and demeaning remuneration”, withholding of four to six months doctors emoluments, over taxation among others.

     

     

    NAN

  • Resident doctors continue strike despite meeting FG

    The strike embarked upon by members of the National Association of Resident Doctors , NARD since Monday, September 4 would still continue despite holding series of meeting with the Ministers of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige and Health, Prof. Isaac Oyewole.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the meeting held in Abuja ended in the early hours of Thursday between the leaders of the striking doctors, the two ministers and other top government officials.

    A statement by the labour ministry after the meeting which lasted several hours said the strike would continue until at least Friday when the doctors are expected to meet to review the offer by the government on their demands including payment of salary arrears owed.

    ‎”The meeting agreed that NARD national officers is to present the outcome of the re-negotiated Memorandum of Terms of settlement to an emergency meeting of its members by Friday September 8, 2017 with a view to suspending the strike once there is evidence of payment of the mandate as presented to the meeting, to the affected institutions,” the statement noted

    Details later…

  • Strike: Ngige blasts resident doctors, says ‘you breached the constitution’

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige on Wednesday at the renewed negotiation deal between the Federal Government delegation and leadership of the National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, in Abuja lambasted the doctors for embarking on a strike action despite earlier meetings with the him delegation and reaching a consensus to shelve the then proposed strike action.

    He accused the doctors of breaching section 18 of the Trade Dispute Act of 2004.

    The minister said he was hopeful that the current strike would be the shortest in the history of Nigeria, urging them to immediately call it off.

    He said, “Once conciliation starts by the government, no employer has the right to embark on strike.

    “By going on strike you have breached Section 18 of the Trade Dispute Act of 2004.”

    Apart from members of NARD, others present include the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole; the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire; the leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association; representatives of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation among others.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the doctors embarked on a nation wide strike on Monday, September 4 to press home their demands with the Federal Government.

     

    Details later…

  • Resident doctors dare FG, commence nationwide indefinite strike despite talks

    The Federal Government on Monday expressed “deep shock and utter disappointment” over the commencement of a nation wide indefinite strike action on Monday by resident doctors under the aegis of National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD despite the commencement of a peace talk with the leadership of the association.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the strike is coming three days after their leadership signed a memorandum of terms of settlement with the government.

    Ministry of Labour and Employment spokesman Samuel Olowookere, in a statement, said the Federal Government was disappointed over the sudden u-turn by the leadership of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD ) after it had reached a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the Federal Ministry of Health on its six-point demand.

    He added: “Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, “in exercise of the powers conferred on him by the Trade Dispute Act 2004, has apprehended the ongoing strike by NARD. Consequently, the meeting between NARD and the government earlier scheduled for November 2 is now slated for Wednesday, September 6, 2017 (tomorrow) by noon at the Conference Room of the Minister of Labour and Employment. ”

    “All stakeholders are implored to attend this crucial meeting. The health and well-being of Nigerians are cardinal to President Buhari’s administration. Hence, every measure necessary shall be taken to restore normalcy”.

    Rising from their National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, the doctors said they were rejecting the terms of settlement, which would have seen the strike being suspended.

    But the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) warned doctors on internship not to join the strike.

    They risk repeating their programme, if they do, it said.

    In a notice of strike sent to chief medical directors and medical directors of hospitals and signed by the President and Secretary General, Dr. Onyebueze John and Dr. Aneke Emmanuel, the resident doctors said they rejected the terms, but did not give any reason for doing so.

    The letter reads: “The National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria, rising from her extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting which held on Sunday, 3rd September 2017 at Parkview Hotels, Abuja, rejected the Memorandum of terms of settlement from government on the items of her demand for strike and resolved to proceed on the proposed national, total and indefinite strike with effect from 8am Monday, 4th September 2017.”

    A message from the President of the Resident Doctors also reads: “Rising from our NEC meeting which started by 7pm yesterday (Sunday) and ended 3am today (Monday), NARD resolved to reject the promissory offer from government and proceed on total and indefinite strike until all items in her demand list are resolved by government.”

    The doctors are contesting what they described as the government’s failure to:

    • pay our salary shortfall of 2016 and January to May 2017;
    • rectify the salary shortfall from August 2017;
    • circularize House Officers’ entry point;
    • correct the stagnation of promotion of our members and properly place them on their appropriate grade level;
    • enroll and capture our members on the Integrated Personnel Payment Information System (IPPIS) and
    • budget, deduct and remit both the employer’s and employees’ pension contributions to our retirement savings account since 2013.

    After a meeting between the government’s representatives and officials of the doctors’ association and the Nigeria Medical Association on Thursday, both parties signed a memorandum of terms of agreement, pointing out that some of the issues being complained about by the association were already being addressed by the government.

    The memorandum was signed by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Minister of Health Prof. Isaac Adewole. Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Prof. Stephen Ocheni, National President of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Prof. Mike O. Ogirima, National Association of Resident Doctors President Onyebueze John and of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission Chairman Richard Egbule.

    Other signatories are representatives of Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and the Budget Office of the Federation.

    The memorandum reads: “The meeting noted that some Federal Tertiary Health Institutions (FHTI) have paid a percentage of salaries to Resident Doctors and are consequently in arrears of salary payments to members of NARD and Honorary Consultants.

    “It was also noted that the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) had started the process of paying the shortfall of salaries owed in batches. It was therefore concluded that the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) should forward the list of the recipient FHTI to the Honourable Minister of Health to ensure that the released fund was used for its intended purpose. The payment for other FHTI not captured to be implemented before the end of October 2017.”

    On shortfall in salaries, it was agreed that “the Director Hospital Services is to address a circular/letter to the Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) and state therein that the released funds should be used solely for salaries and shortfalls. The Federal Ministry of Finance should ensure that monthly salaries are paid in full.

    “Reference was made to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached at the 7th Senate in 2014, and House of Representatives with the Speaker presiding in 2016, where parties agreed to use the quantum of monies contained in CONHESS 9:4 for CONMESS 1:1.

    “It was concluded that effect should be given to previous Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) reached on this issue so that CONHESS 9:4 would be in parity with CONMESS 1:1. The Chairman NSIWC to get this circularised, after getting the quantum from FMoH. All matters on this issue should be finalised before the preparation of 2018 Budget is concluded.

    “Issues of skipping and matters ancillary thereto were discussed. The meeting noted that the Federal Ministry of Health had appealed against the ruling of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) on skipping and that a date has been given by the Court of Appeal for hearing in March, 2018.

    “It was further noted that a major issue is the improper placements on appropriate Salary Grade Levels. It was concluded that a proper guideline should be provided by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and that Item 4 of the MoU of December 16, 2013 should be adopted.

    “The Item 4 states that ‘the FMoH, NSIWC, NMA should urgently review the NMA’s proposal on skipping of CONTISS 10/CONHESS10/COMESS 2 in the new Scheme of Service with a view to amending it to reflect the suspension of the circular on unauthorised skipping of equivalent of CONMESS 2 for medical doctors in the Public Service.

    “The amended proposal shall be forwarded to the HCSF through the FMoH for an onward presentation to the forthcoming National Council on Establishment (NCE) on 24th January, 2014 in Ilorin.” In view of this earlier position, it was concluded that the Honourable Minister of Health (HMoH) should drive this issue and that no circular should be issued on the matter until it is concluded by the HMoH.

    “In view of the expected meeting of the Council of Establishment, the end of October was given as the tentative time limit to conclude the assignment by the FMoH and Office of the HCSF. Hospitals that are yet to implement skipping for doctors are to commence and henceforth, promotions should be in accordance with the Public Service Rules.

    “Based on the information given by the members of NARD, it was noted that only 18 Federal Tertiary Health Institutions had so far submitted their Nominal Roll. The meeting concluded that NARD members should be on the IPPIS platform and that the CMDs as well as the MDs should be requested by the FMoH to submit their Nominal Roll to the Office of the Accountant General of The Federation (OAGF) and copy to the FMoH and FML&E on or before September 15, 2017. It was agreed that all Resident Doctors should be captured on IPPIS platform by the end of October 2017.

    “It was concluded that NARD members are on pensionable appointment and, as such, the FMoH in conjunction with OAGF and Budget Office of the Federation (BOF) should take necessary steps to ensure that adequate budgetary allocations are made to cover the Pension requirements of NARD members.

    “Furthermore, FMoH should issue a letter in that regard to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation who would correspond with the Budget Office of the Federation for necessary action, as the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) had in a letter of February 12, 2015, Ref.PENCOM/INSP/C&E/CCPA/66/15/1167 to the Honourable Minister of Health affirmed that members of NARD are “employees”.

    “In view of the foregoing terms of settlement, NARD agreed to meet in an Emergency Session before Monday, September 4, 2017, for the presentation of this Memorandum to her National Executive Council with a view to averting the scheduled strike.”

     

  • Proposed strike: Resident doctors refute FG’s claims, says ‘We’ll decide on Sunday’

    The chairman of the National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, Osogbo chapter, Folarin Olarewaju, has denied claims that the association has suspended its proposed strike scheduled to commence on Monday, September 4.

    He said rather the association will hold an emergency executive committee meeting on Sunday, where a decision will be made.

    Olarewaju admitted that the members of the association had a meeting with the government, but said that it was yet to make a decision.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, was quoted by Channels Television as saying on Friday that the doctors suspended the strike after a meeting.

    The minister said a meeting was held between officials of the NARD, himself, and officials of the ministry of health, which ended on Friday morning after several hours.

    Ngige said the meeting would continue on November 2.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the resident doctors had earlier threatened to go on strike from September 4, if the federal government does not meet their demands including their immediate enrolment in the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, IPPIS.

    “Neither the federal nor state governments has shown commitment to the resolution of issues at stake nor honoured previous agreements,” the head of NARD at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, said in a statement.

    “Consequent upon this, the association resolved to proceed on a total indefinite industrial action from Monday, September 4, 2017, until all these issues are permanently resolved.

  • Panic in public hospitals as resident doctors commence strike September 4

    The National Association of Resident Doctors, NARDs, has issued a nationwide strike notice effective September 4.

    Olusegun Olaopa, the President of NARDs, University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, announced this on Wednesday in a statement made available to newsmen in Ibadan.

    Mr. Olaopa said that the resident doctors would commence an indefinite industrial action on Monday to press home their demands.

    According to him, the action is sequel a statement signed by John Onyebueze and Aneke Emmanuel, National President and Secretary of NARDs, respectively.

    The statement said that it was resolved at the NEC meeting of NARDs held in Abuja on August 26 to embark on the strike.

    “Neither the federal nor state governments has shown commitment to the resolution of issues at stake nor honoured previous agreements.

    “Consequent upon this, the association resolved to proceed on a total indefinite industrial action from Monday, September 4, 2017, until all these issues are permanently resolved.

    “Nationwide pre-strike protests against this injustice are to hold in all our branches and states of the federation on August 30, 2017.

    “All heads of tertiary health institutions who have received funding for payments to our members should be directed to pay same immediately,” it said.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the members of NARDs are demanding for the resolution of persistent shortfalls and unpaid arrears of salaries earned in both federal and state tertiary health institutions.

    Other issues are the enrolment of resident doctors into the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) since 2003, and non-implementation of adjusted House Officers’ Entry grade level equivalent since 2014.

    The resident doctors are also asking for the resolution of issues around their stagnation of promotion and non-promotion of members who have met requisite criteria despite all collective bargaining agreements and circulars.

  • Aregbesola pleads as Osun doctors issue 21-day ultimatum over unpaid salaries

    Apparently disturbed by the 21-day ultimatum issued by Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Osun State chapter, the state government led by Governor Rauf Aregbesola on Monday appealed to the medical body over non-payment of salary arrears owed its members in the state.

    The Aregbesola-led government made the appeal on Monday immediately the medical doctors in the state resolved to go on a full scale strike if the governor fails to meet their demands within 21 days.

    The position of the association was made known to journalists during a press conference which held at the NMA secretariat in Osogbo on Monday.

    According to the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Osun State, Dr. Tokunbo Olajumoke, the resolution was reached at the Emergency General Meeting of the body, that all the doctors in the state would join the strike at the expiration of the ultimatum.

    The NMA Chairman read a statement jointly signed by him and the Secretary of the association, Dr Olalekan Ajayi in which the body enumerated its demands.

    The association complained over lack of drugs and consumables in our health facilities and lack of basic amenities and equipments in the hospitals in the state as well as the non-payment of salaries of doctors and urged the state government to address the issues without further delay.

    According to him, “following over two years of appeals, engagements and discussions with the state government on the decadence in the health sector in Osun state, the association hereby gives a twenty one(21) day ultimatum from today August 28 to September 17, 2017.”

    “At the expiration of the ultimatum, the association will be left with no other choice than to immediately withdraw our services in the state.”

    NMA called on traditional rulers, members of the National Assembly and the Osun State House of Assembly and other stakeholders to prevail on the State Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola to do the needful so as to save the health sector in the state from further collapse.

    According to the NMA chairman, “the demeaning level of care being melted upon medical practitioners by the state government is best described as a vicious cycle of poor remuneration with consequent unsatisfactory career, flight of already scarce medical practitioners and then a subsequent pseudo-employment that does not last for a reasonable time.”

    “Expectedly, in view of the neglect in the sector, there has been an untoward effect on the good people of the state as evidenced by the increasing mortality and morbidity indices of the state.”

    “Despite accessing various funds, including the monthly allocations, ecological funds, project repayment funds (largely undisclosed), 11.74billion naira and 6.314 billion naira as her own share of the first and second tranche of the Paris club refund respectively, the state government has continued to pay our members varying percentages of their emoluments, in the range of less than 30% in the last 24 months as against what is stipulated by the wages and salaries commission of our dear Nation.”

    “The state government, despite agreement to the contrary has also continued to withhold between 4 and 6 months salaries of our members during the period of industrial action embarked upon by some of our affiliates when the state government unilaterally slashed their salaries without any form of discussion.”

    “The state government has also continued the issuance of payslips not in tandem with the salary received in the last two years. This has led to inability of members to fulfil their obligations to cooperatives and banks with regrettable implications on individuals.”

    “Osun state is the only state that has continued to pay her doctors ‘fractionated’ salaries, deduct full taxes while paying ‘fractionated’ salaries with issuance of non complimentary payslip.”

    “Despite these harsh and unfavourable conditions, the state doctors have continued to render health care services to the good people of Osun state.”

    Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the governor, the Osun Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Adelani Baderinwa in a press statement said frantic efforts were already on to resolve all the issues raised by the doctors in their demands.

    According to the statement, “Osun State government has been notified on the 21-day ultimatum given to it by doctors in the state under the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA).

    “The government wishes to state that we will address the issues raised by the doctors and plead with them to understand the plight of the state government.

    It is on record that doctors in Osun are perhaps the highest paid in the South-West states after Lagos and did everything to ensure the standard was maintained for as long as the finances of government were in good shape.”

    This illustrates that the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is very sensitive to health matters and would always treat the health workers very well, if not specially. Issues bothering on full payment of their salary should not degenerate to the level of downsizing because it has been demonstrated that other workers of the state who were being paid modulated salary would sure get their arrears when the state finances improve.”

  • Photos: Again, Buhari receives Lai Mohammed, Adeshina, others, insists ‘Only my doctors can tell when I’ll return to Nigeria’

    President Muhammadu Buhari has again insisted on Saturday that only his doctors can determine his return date to Nigeria.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that President Buhari traveled for medical check-up in London on Sunday, May 7, more than a month he came back into the country from a previous medical vacation.

    According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President spoke at the Abuja House, London, United Kingdom, when he received his members of his media team led by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

    Buhari who has been receiving medical attention in the British capital since May 7 was reported to have told the team that visited him that there is tremendous improvement in his health and that indeed, he wished to return home,

    “I have learnt to obey my doctor’s orders rather than be the one issuing the orders. Here, the doctor is absolutely in charge,” the President was quoted as saying.

    Mohammed was said to have led the team that included Adesina; Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu; Personal Assistant on Digital/Online Media, Lauretta Onochie; and the Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Matters, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa,

    According to Adesina, when the team expressed delight at the much-improved health of the President, Buhari reportedly said, “I feel I could go home, but the doctors are in charge. I have now learned to obey orders, rather than be obeyed.”

    On how he felt hearing different conjectures about his health, Buhari was reported to have said he followed events at home closely.

    He was said to have lauded Nigerian television stations, and the media generally, for keeping him informed.

    When told that prayers were going on fervently for him, not only in Nigeria, but all over Africa, and round the world, the President reportedly said, “What we did in The Gambia early this year fetched us a lot of goodwill on the African continent. It gave us a lot of latitude. I thank all those who are praying. May God reward them.”

    Adesina said the President sent appreciation to all Nigerians, expressing hope that he would be with them soon.