Plateau: NMA Decries Scarcity Of New Naira Notes, Fuel Scarcity Taking Toll On Health Sector

NMA raises alarm as waste and rats takeover Calabar

JOS – Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Plateau State Chapter on Friday called on the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Government to proffer permanent solutions to the naira and fuel scarcity crises in the country.

 

The union in a statement jointly signed by Dr. Bapigaan Audu, the state Chairman of the association and Dr Lukden Mawun Stephen it’s Secretary and made available to Daily Independent in Jos stressed that having watched the unfolding developments within the polity over the past few weeks with keen interest, they are compelled to issue this statement regarding the scarcity of Petrol as well as the implementation of the Cash Swap Policy by the Central Bank of Nigeria and their impacts on the health of Nigerians.

 

According to Plateau NMA leadership “We call on the Government to be reminded that no policy should bring this much suffering no matter how well intentioned; and advised importantly, that conception/implementation of policies be done with a human face, bearing in mind the possible attendant consequences likely to emanate from such a policy such that measures are put in place to at best prevent these scarcity or at the very least, cushion their effects on the lives of citizens and the economy of the nation.

 

According to them “Plateau State Branch of our association is deeply concerned and shares in the untold hardship and anguish that citizens have been and continue to be subjected to due to the now perennial problem of fuel scarcity, as well as the recent chaos surrounding the implementation of the Cash Swap policy by the apex bank.”

 

They added that “It acknowledged and commend the intervention of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari towards easing some of these occasioned pains and call for speedy implementation of these measures especially those that have to do with enforcement and regulation.”

 

“The needless torment been visited upon citizens have resulted largely from poor planning and staggered implementation which have come to define most Government policies in Nigeria; and the apparent never-ending shortage of petrol has seemed to defy any government intervention.”

“This unavailability of petrol has continued to subject doctors,hospitals and citizens to needless loss of man hours spent on fuel queues often ending in futility or with purchase at very exorbitant rates,in addition to the physical and mental exertion that often accompany such.”

 

The Plateau NMA leadership regretted that Nigeria citizens have been subjected to psychological and physical turmoil which has the potential of leading to an upward surge in mental health illnesses (as well as physical injuries) arising from the despair,gloom and uncertainty which currently pervade the nation.

The current developments,he said has further impoverished an already poor population and placed great hinderance of access to land payment for health services that is worsening the already troubling health statistics in a nation where health expenditure is still largely made out of pocket.

“This is clearly shameful and unacceptable for a nation of Nigeria’s stature and age.”

 

According to the Heath body, some of these insensitive and confusing policies are serving as further push factors driving doctors and other health care professionals out of Nigeria to other climes,worsening the already appalling doctor to patient ratio.

“Furthermore, these policies have exposed the unsuspecting public to the unpatriotic greed of some elements within our society who are always desperate to cash in on the misfortunes and sufferings of fellow citizen to visit more hardship on the public.”

“That though we appreciate the good intentions behind the cash swap policy,poor implementation and regulation have made ordinary Nigerians who the policy was meant to protect,suffer while the opulent political class continue with life with reports of huge sums of the new currency already being stacked by certain unpatriotic individuals to be used for the purpose of vote buying/manipulation”.

 

They urged their members to continue to provide caring services for their patients and to be mindful of their own healths(especially mental health and that of their loved ones during this period.

“We call on citizens to be law abiding despite the pains of the day.”

 

They called on government at all levels to ensure adherence of the financial institutions law by making the new notes available to Nigerians so as to prevent the already very bad situation from getting any worse.

They also called on it’s members to come out en masse and vote for the right candidates during the forthcoming 2023 General elections, adding that Persons with integrity and drive to navigate Plateau and indeed Nigeria should be supported to take away Nigerians away from the present day challenges to a future of prosperity and stability, NMA Plateau leadership stressed.

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