Nasarawa State Commissioner for Health, Dr Gaza Gwamna, has said plans are already on ground to implement the improved hazard allowance for Medical Doctors and other healthcare workers in the state.
The Commissioner made the disclosure on Friday in Lafia immediately after meeting with leaders of the various unions in the health sector.
Gwamna also explained that the state government had directed that the financial implications of the outstanding promotions, hazard allowance, CONMESS and CONHESS be computed with a view of implementing them.
“The Federal Government had approved the adjusted Hazard allowance, CONMESS and CONHESS and the State Government is working to implement it in the next few months,” he added.
He further said that only nine medical doctors had written to the government of their intention to resign at the end of March 2024.
He also used the medium and appealed to the unions in the health sector to show more understanding to the government as it would do everything possible to ensure better welfare for all civil servants.
Also speaking to journalists, Attah Ayaka-Avre, State Chairman, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) said the association had already given a 14-days ultimatum to the state government over welfare issues affecting its members.
The NANNM Chairman explained that the 14-days ultimatum would expired on April 2 and said that the association would decide on the next line of action if their demands were not met at that time.
He listed some of their demands to includes; payment of hazard allowance, reviewed of CONHESS, outstanding promotions, payment of 2023/2024 uniform allowance among others.
“The government should also improve equipments and facilities at the Primary Healthcare Centres, General Hospitals and Tertiary health facility in the state,” he added.
He however, commended the Commissioner for the effort aimed at addressing lingering issues in the sector to avoid escalation.
Also, Dr. Mohammed Salihu-Ozegya, Chairman, Medical and Dental Consultant Association, Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH) branch said some of their colleagues had tendered their resignation from the state.
He explained that the resignation was due to the difference in renumeration between the state and federal government.
He therefore, urged the state government to urgently implement the reviewed allowances and salary structure in order to safe the sector from avoidable problems. (NAN).