Nasarawa doctors reject directive to shut down private practice

Doctors on state payroll running private practice have reject Nasarawa state government’s directive to shut down their private practice.

The state government threatened they would lose their jobs if they don’t.

Nigerian Medical Association in Nasarawa said the government should instead focus on addressing welfare challenges doctors face.

The association convened an emergency meeting of its executives on Wednesday.

“Medical doctors on the payroll of the state government had never been found wanting for compromising their official duties as they engage in private practice according to the laid down rules guiding establishment and  operating private hospitals and clinics,” said chairman of NMA in the state, Dr Sabo Emmanuel, said,

“Private practice by medical doctors in the state had contributed immensely in bridging the gap in the health sector which had gone a long way in meeting the increasing medical needs of the people over the years.

” We are calling on the state government to concentrate on addressing issues bordering on welfare of doctors in the state especially lack of promotions which had lingered on since 2010 and annual salary increments among others,” he said

Dr. Sabo Emmanuel said that as at August this year, over 150 health workers in the state had been infected with COVID 19.