The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Kogi chapter, has commended the state government for signing into law the bill to enact the state’s Health Insurance Agency (KSHIA) and the Primary Health Care Development Agency (KSPHCDA).
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi on Wednesday April 24, 2019 signed the Kogi Health Insurance Agency, amendment of the Kogi Primary Health Care Development Agency and six other bills into law.
A statement by Dr. Kabiru Zubair, the NMA State Chairman in Lokoja on Monday, commended the governor for assenting the two “critical health” related bills describing it as a significant milestone in the state’s healthcare sector.
According to Zubair, the health insurance scheme is geared towards reducing out-of-pocket expenses for Kogi people inline with the struggle to attain universal health coverage (UHC).
He said the bills would put the state in the same pedestal as other states in the federation where state health insurance scheme had been established.
He stated that the primary health care development agency would ensure the delivery of quality basic healthcare to rural areas and the down trodden.
He said implementation of government policies remained the biggest obstacle in the state, urging the government to muster the political will to quickly pay the counterpart funds as the criteria requirement for states to benefit from the fund.
He, however, emphasised the need for government to improve on the skilled manpower and the welfare of the state’s health workers to be able to deliver quality healthcare.
”The NMA is emphasising for the umpteenth time that the government may not be able to deliver quality healthcare without the right skilled manpower and skill mix.
”It will be difficult to succeed in the implementation of Kogi health insurance scheme and primary health care without motivated health care workers.
”The mass exodus of doctors from the state civil service has continued unabated as more doctors are leaving the state.
”Kogi is moving farther every passing month from the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended doctor to patient ratio of 1:600.
”In 2016, Kogi had a total of 437 doctors comprising those in federal, state and private health institutions, and with a population of about 3.5 million inhabitants, which was a doctor to patient ratio of 1:8000.
”But with the exit of over hundred doctors from the state over the last four years, the ratio has dropped to about 1:10,000.
”Therefore, urgent steps must be taken to halt the current drift.
”The only way to slow down the exit of doctors from the state civil service to prioritise the payment of the salaries of doctors and other health workers,” Zubair said.
He urged the government to implement the corrected CONMESS (Consolidated Medical Salary Scale), and give tax incentives to health workers.
”The government must seriously considered the effect the new minimum wage will have on salaries of the state’s civil servants which will further widen the gap in pay package between Kogi and other states, if not implemented,” he said.
