Emmanuel Thomas, Lagos
November 25, 2015 – Doctors in Lagos State have hailed efforts of the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode for resolving outstanding issues relating to their welfare as well as improving healthcare delivery in the state.
Speaking at the General Meeting/Scientific Conference & Continuing Medical Education of the Medical Guild in Lagos, Chairman of the Guild, Dr. Biyi Kufo acknowledged efforts of the governor towards improving healthcare in Lagos.
“We had met with Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode during the run up to the governorship election and informed him about the issues we have and he made a promise to resolve the issues if he was elected”.
“We make no apologies with a designation of our Governor as the song we have been waiting for to come and change a heart of stone. Governor Ambode has directed that all the key issues be resolved; the suspension of intake of new residents into the Residency Training Program LASUTH has been lifted and admission of the new residents have commenced; the appointment of doctors as contract workers has been stopped”, Kufo said.
He also disclosed that Governor Ambode had directed that medical doctors currently on contracts should be converted to permanent staff and the salaries during the three months of industrial action be paid.
“I am delighted to inform the house that having delivered on all the promises, we are grateful to Governor Ambode not only for fulfilling his promise to us but has also rekindled the faith of our membership in the political leadership in Lagos State, we have also commenced discussions with government over implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS)”, he said.
On his part, Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association, Lagos State Chapter, Dr. Tope Ojo, commended the governor for his various discussions with the medical personnel especially over implementation of the corrected CONMESS salary scale.
In his keynote address, Governor Ambode, urged medical professionals to continuously uphold the Hippocratic Oath in the discharge of their duties, just as he assured them of his administration’s commitment to their concerns.
He also assured that the state government under his watch will be open to suggestions for efficient health care delivery systems in the state.
Governor Ambode, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Primary Health Care, Dr. Femi Onanuga, said his administration has committed public funds to uplift medical infrastructure so as ensure that first class healthcare service is delivered to the people of the state.
He said his administration has also embarked on recruitment of medical personnel in order to improve the synergy between personnel and infrastructure in the health sector, adding that he believed the conference is a platform to generate ideas towards addressing issues in the sector.
