What We Will Do To Make Migration Unattractive To Health Workers-FG

The Federal Government has disclosed plans to raise health workers’ compensation package in order to curb the increasing rate of migration.

The Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora, in a statement said that the Federal Government had plans to fund hospitals across the country, as well as motivate doctors and other health workers.

Recall, the Minister of Labour and employment, Chris Ngige had announced that the government made an offer to raise hazard allowance for all health workers in public health establishments in the country by 350 per cent and 600 per cent for junior workers and senior workers respectively.

The hazard allowance currently stands at N5,000 monthly.

Ngige also said the Federal Government had agreed to raise the retirement age of doctors and other health workers from 60 to 65 years and 70 years for consultants.

However, in the statement signed by the Director of Information, Ministry of Health, Brendan Nwokike, Mamora said that the issue of health workers migration has been of concern to the government.

He said, “This is an issue of concern for all of us and we are already looking at the factors that are responsible.

“One of it is the remuneration and I want to repeat it that no amount paid to any health worker will compensate adequately, looking at the hazards they are exposed to.

“So, we are working on how to increase it a bit for our health workers. You will recall that just a few days ago, we had an engagement with all the leaders of the unions in the health sector.

“We are working together on how to increase and put in place a hazard allowance that will show we appreciate what they are doing.”

The Minister also noted that Medical Residency being enjoyed by health workers are part of government’s effort to compensate them.

He said, “We also have an insurance scheme in place, which everyone is entitled to. We are doing everything possible just to raise the compensation.”