NMA Warns Aregbesola Against Diversion of Paris Club Loan Refund

Osun State Branch of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has warned Governor Rauf Aregbesola against diverting the second tranche of Paris Club Loan Refund to funding of projects.

The NMA also called on the Aregbesola to respect the Federal Government’s directive, telling all the beneficiary states to use the money to offset the backlogs of workers’ salary arrears and pensions.

NMA in a statement issued by its Chairman and Secretary General, Dr. Tokunbo Olajumoke and Dr Olalekan Ajayi respectively on Tuesday in Osogbo urged Aregbesola to prioritise the welfare of its members, saying the association had made enough sacrifices in supporting the state during the hard times.

The health workers called on the state government to consider the immediate payment of arrears of their outstanding salaries from the Paris Club Loan Refunds and commence the payment of the Consolidated Medical Salary Scale for all its members.

It also charged the government to as a matter of urgency, do everything to salvage the alleged dwindling fortunes of the healthcare delivery system, declaring that the continue decadence in the health sector and the poor treatment of health workers is deeply of serious concern to them.

The association stated that the state government of owing it’s members between 10 and 15 months salary arrears, adding that members of the association had also worked for 8months without salaries in 2015.

The press statement reads; “The state government needs to rearrange it’s priorities and suspend ‘capital flight’ and begin to focus on the payment of workers’ salary in view of the current economic realities.

“It is painful that the state government has consistently incapacitated health workers by her vicious and unscrupulous remuneration policies despite the enthusiasm of our members in the state to render quality healthcare services to all”.

“Following the release of the first bailout by the federal government, Osun State cut our salaries by over 50% without communicating them.

“Our members were not part of the decision that led to payment of modulated salaries as the term “modulated salaries” as a means of remuneration for civil servants is completely alien to the law and association.

“At the commencement of the initial agitation for appropriate remuneration, our members met with the different hierarchies of government in the state and we were given assurances that our demands will be met as soon as the financial situation of the state improves.

“So, with the rate of ongoing work on federal and state capital projects in the state, it is obvious that the finances of the state had significantly improved.

“It is disheartening that the state has been economical with the truth as regards to its total income and the fraction of its income that is being deployed towards the payment of salaries and other emoluments.

“We demand to know how much of the first tranche of Paris Club Loan Refund was actually used to pay salaries.

“If health workers are to render essential services, what make their salaries non-essential? Some state governors who value the health of their citizens are already taking bold steps towards providing incentives for health professionals and ensuring an ideal working environment. We believe that our government needs to do likewise.

“We completely reject the suggestion that the sweat and blood and the hard earned salaries of our noble members will be diverted towards infrastructural development.”