ADO-EKITI – Medical doctors have called for speedy implementation of the executive order by President Bola Tinubu granting tariffs, excise duties and value-added tax waiver on imported pharmaceutical ingredients.
The doctors under the aegis of Nigerian Medical Association Ekiti State Branch, who commended President Tinubu for the bold initiative, tasked the government to surmount the challenges that threaten effective implementation of the waiver.
This was contained in a communique signed by by its Chairman, Dr. Oreyemi Ifedayo and the Secretary, Dr. Akinluyi Oluwatobi, at the end of the 27th Annual General Meeting of the Association held in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state capital from 4th to 9th August, 2024.
The doctors lamented increasing levels of sudden deaths among the citizens due to the lack of access to healthcare services, noting that government at all levels must be deliberate in its efforts at ameliorating sufferings of the masses.
They said that speedy implementation of the waivers on drugs and other medical consumables would help transform the Nigeria’s health sector by increasing local production of medical products, reducing the price of drugs and medical supplies, thereby making them more affordable to Nigerians.
They also urged the federal government to urgently review the palliative policies put in place to cushioning the economic hardship in the country towards ensuring that Nigerians feel the impacts of such interventions.
The Doctors lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his commitment to welfare of workers especially those in the health sector, saying that,” Ekiti state is now one of the most sought after for the medical doctors in Nigeria.”
They equally to the governor to approve the payment of 2024 Medical Residency Training Funds (MRTF) to the Ekiti State Teaching Hospital resident doctors as well as doctors on approved study leave for residency training at the Hospital Management Board.
The communique reads in part, “The AGM called on the FG to immediately take steps to address the agitations of the protesters against the economic policies of the government in order to resolve the ongoing protests and also improving the living conditions of the masses.
“The AGM called on the FG to urgently address the perceived crisis in the oil sector in a bid to end the perennial scarcity and high costs of petroleum products in the country.
“The AGM urged the President to cause his good office to ensure implementation of import duty and VAT waivers on drugs and medical consumables so as to make healthcare affordable to Nigerians.
“This will definitely help in preventing sudden deaths among Nigerians. Efforts must also be made not only to strengthen the NHIA to cover majority of Nigerians in the Universal Coverage pursuits but to also ensure the implementation of the newly increased capitation on NHIA.”
