Why medical doctors, others flee Taraba, by Commissioner-nominee
BY OKERAFOR ATHANATIUS
Details of goings-on in the health sector in Taraba State came to light yesterday.
From a State Commissioner-nominee emerged the revelation that medical doctors and health workers in the State often flee the far North-eastern state in droves because they are the poorest paid in the region.
The development is said to have brought the health sector in the State to its knees.
At a screening session by members of the State House of Assembly in Jalingo,the State capital, Dr. Bodia Buma declared that health workers in Taraba are the least remunerated.
Dr. Buma was among persons nominated by Governor Agbu Kefas and whose names were subsequently forwarded to the State legislature for screening and possible approval.
He was nominated for the Ministry of Health.
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However, it appeared he decided to spill the beans on the status and poor health of the state’s healthcare sector, even though he was well aware of the presence of newsmen at the event.
Reacting to a question thrown at him by the member representing Donga constituency, Hon. Dinkomiya Bibonga Nulamuga, on how best he would use his office to ensure that rural dwellers get the best medical services, the nominee stated that health challenges faced by the people at the local level were enormous, attributing such to lack of medical personnel in those areas.
He posited that Taraba doctors and other health personnel refuse to go to the Local Governments, “infact they leave the State because they are poorly paid.”
Dr Buma was not done: “It is on record that Taraba State Government pays the least salary to its health workers in the whole of Northeast region.
“We are going to ensure that our medical personnel are adequately motivated to provide the required services to our people.
“And the best way to motivate them is to increase their salaries and pay them as at when due.”
The Commissioner hopeful said, if his appointment is approved, he would use his wealth of experience to ensure not only the motivation of staff but that health personnel from other States would be attracted to come to Taraba to develop the sector.
“Structure and/or equipment would be provided to enhance the workforce, training and re-training of health workers to be sent to various Local Governments would be encouraged.
“We will also ensure that every good thing we are doing is sustained,” he stated.
Forty-four-year-old Dr Buma also pledged to discourage the system of allowing old and retired nurses to still be in service while young graduates from the State College of Nursing and Midwifery are not employed.
Daily Times gathered that Dr. Buma is one of 21 Commissioner-nominees.
