Jigawa: NMA calls for MRTF act domestication, hospital management board
By Umar Akilu Majeri Dutse
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Jigawa state chapter has advocated for the domestication of Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) Act and establishment of Hospitals Management Board in the state.
This was contained in a statement issued by the chairman of the association, Hon Abdulbasy Umar in Dutse on Friday.
He said the association also advocated for equalization of doctors’ remuneration with that of the Federal Government health workers
Basy said the NMA made the advocacy during a meeting with Mr Usman Abdullahi, the Chairman, Jigawa House of Assembly Standing Committee on Health, in Dutse,
The meeting continued robust engagements, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Jigawa chapter, took a significant step forward by holding historic meeting with the State House of Assembly Committee on Health aimed to address pressing issues within the healthcare sector, focusing on the critical need for improved
services and enhanced welfare for doctors.
“The deliberation highlighted the importance of actively involving NMA in the legislative process
regarding health related bills as including medical professionals in these deliberations would bring
valuable insights, ensuring that new laws genuinely reflect the healthcare needs of the community,” Mr basy pointed out.
He explained that during their meeting, the association underscored the urgent need for better working
conditions, competitive salaries by equating it to that of Federal Government by fully implemening the reviewed CONMESS and
hazard allowances and enhanced benefits.
He added that the NMA expressed concern that doctors in the state are leaving the state for federal hospitals for better pay, saying that a salary of a doctor in a federal hospital is twice than that of those in the state.
According to him, without these improvements, it would be challenging to attract and retain qualified medical personnel, which would ultimately
affect patient care in the state.
“One of the key demands from the NMA was the domestication of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) Act which aims to provide financial support for resident doctors undergoing specialist training, and the NMA believes that implementing it at the state level will significantly enhance the quality of healthcare services.
“The NMA also advocated for the establishment of a Hospital Management Board, which it believes would streamline hospital administration, improve service delivery and ensure that healthcare facilities operate more
effectively,” he stated.
He also quoted house committee chairman as expressing strong support for the NMA’s demands and emphasized that Jigawa doctors should not be treated as “secondclass citizens” and deserve the same welfare packages as their counterparts are in the Federal level.
He added that Abdullahi expressed the belief that people of the state also deserve top-tier healthcare delivery, which begins with addressing the
welfare of the doctors who care for them.
According to him, the association expressed the hope in collaboration with the state assembly would lead to meaningful changes in the healthcare sector and that their calls for the domestication of the MRTF Act and the
establishment of a hospital management board will come to fruition, ultimately benefiting both healthcare
providers and the Communities .
“This pivotal engagement marks a promising new chapter in healthcare governance in Jigawa as both the NMA and the State Assembly are committed to working together to ensure that the healthcare system meets the needs of
the people, reinforcing the vital role of doctors in delivering quality health care service to the citizens of Jigawa,” he stated
Dr Umar Abdulbaseed, commended the House of Assembly for speedy passage of PHC under one-roof bill and Public Health Security Bill, as well as
amendment the Jigawa Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (JICHMA).
