The Nigerian government has approved the re-introduction of a health workers special salary scale, Mr Ayuba Waba, the National President of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, said on Thursday in Abuja.

The medical workers, including the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), on Wednesday gave a 30 day ultimatum to the government to implement the salary structure or be faced with nationwide strike.

“We have reached an understanding with the Federal Government on the salary scale. In fact, we have almost concluded arrangement on the issue,’’ he said.

Waba said the re-introduction of the salary scale was part of the government’s resolve to tackle the decay in the health sector, both at the primary and secondary levels.

He said : “The salary scale was first introduced in 1991 as part of measures to reposition the health care system, but was abandoned in 2008 following the consolidation of salaries by the government.

“It is gratifying that the government has accepted the proposal for its reintroduction.’’

Waba explained that the poor condition of service in the sector had led to mass exodus of Nigerian health professionals to other countries, and expressed optimism that the new salary structure would address the problem.

“Nigeria currently occupies 187th position among the 198 member nations in terms of health care indices, according to the latest UN report.

“This places us at the same level with countries such as Somalia and Afghanistan, which have no effective government in place.

“It is very clear that our problems are caused by dearth of professionals and facilities. It is on record that some 250 health professionals of Nigerian origin migrated to Europe last year alone,’’ he added.

Source African Press Agency

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