Governor Yahaya Bello, of Kogi State has approved a 100 per cent payment of hazard allowance to doctors, nurses and other categories of health workers in the state.
Bello announced the approval on Wednesday in Lokoja while playing host to the executive members of the state branch of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) and pioneer medical students of Prince Abubakar Audu University, Ayangba.
He said the payment will take immediate effect, saying the decision was to boost the morale of health workers in the employ of the state government.
Bello, expressed commitment to advancing healthcare delivery in the state, explaining that his administration’s policy to train medical professionals within and outside the state, was in the overall interest of the people.
The pioneer medical students accompanied by their parents had come to inform Governor Bello of the successful completion of their programs at the university .
They were led on the visit by the Vice Chancellor of Prince Abubakar Audu University, Prof Marietu Ohunene Tenuche, and other management staff of the university.
The pioneer medical students expressed gratitude to Governor Bello for the pivotal role he played by providing funds for their studies and his huge investments in the state’s education sector.
They commended Governor Bello, who they said inherited accreditation challenges faced by them but swiftly rose up to the challenge by placing them on scholarships in various tertiary institutions across the country.
They said this singular action of Governor Bello allowed them to continue their MBBS programs which they have now completed.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof Tenuche in her remarks lauded Governor Bello for his remarkable achievements in the education sector.
She said the university is now poised for full accreditation, offering programs such as Anatomy, Physiology, Nursing Science, and more.
Dr. Olusola Baoku, Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Kogi State Chapter, commended Governor Bello for his strides in the state’s health sector.
Baoku stated that Kogi State is one of the seven states in the country that have approved 100 per cent payment of hazard allowance to doctors, nurses and all other health workers.
He also commended Bello for the noticeable improvement in health infrastructures across the state, saying that the development has put the state in a good stead to establish and run a medical college.
Responding to Dr. Baoku’s speech , Governor Bello who received the visitors in company with the state governor -elect, Ahmed Usman Ododo affirmed the state government’s commitment to ensure that medical professionals work under conducive environment in the state.
Governor Bello then promised continued improvements across all critical sectors, particularly in healthcare delivery, to curb ‘Japa’ among doctors and nurses. (vitalnewsngr.com)
