From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau
The Chairman Zamfara state Health Services Management Board, Dr. Nasir Sa’ad has debunked reports that the state is suffering deficit of over 3,000 medical doctors to man health facilities for expected health delivery,
He has described the reports as untrue. Addressing a press conference in Gusau the state capital yesterday, Dr. Sa’ad further dismissed the findings by some nongovernmental organizations that a large number of medical doctors have fled the state for better payments in some neighbouring states, saying that the state has 149 medical doctors currently serving across medical facilities in the state.
He lamented using roadside records which claimed that Zamfara state has only 22 medical doctors and that they were underpaid by the state government, the reason which according to the false report had compelled them to look for employments in the neighbouring states for survival.
“We have 60 medical doctors currently serving under Yariman Bakura Specialists Hospital, and another 89 working across general hospitals and other health facilities in the state, and that, our doctors are enjoying 100% payments under federal government approved CONMESS since 2011-2012”, said the Chairman.
The Chairman further informed that, the number of qualified medical doctors will soon exceed 200 as the state government has embarked upon renovations and provision of required equipments in numerous hospitals in Gummi, Bakura, Shinkafi, Kaura Namoda and Gusau local government areas.
“The state governor has also approved and directed for the immediate recruitment of 49 more midwives which would bring their total number to 459, and the exercise has already commenced as the targeted number of candidates were interviewed waiting for their appointment and posting letters down to health facilities at rural areas”, Dr. Sa’ad has informed.
It would be recalled, the Secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Mannir Bature Tsafe had a couple of weeks ago, while presenting a paper during a Health Budget Dialogue for Increased Funding to Health Sector at Ja’iz hotel Gusau, had challenged less attention paid by the state government on health care.
