Posted on: Thu 22-08-2024

The Association of Resident Doctors in Rivers State has said that there is a significant reduction in brain drain in the state due to the improved welfare of their members.

Rivers NARD attributed the development to the support of the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, in sustaining specialist training through the payment of a medical residency training grant.

President of NARD at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Dr Nimi Ngo Briggs, stated this during a news briefing in Port Harcourt.

Thanking the governor for the support, he said though the RSUTH is currently short-staffed, the governor has already taken steps to bridge the manpower gap through the planned employment of more doctors, nurses and other staff.

Briggs noted that the grant released to medical directors would also enhance research and encourage them to offer more services in the health sector of the state.

Dr Briggs further said the gesture demonstrates the government’s commitment to advancing healthcare in the state and also significantly boosts the morale of resident doctors.

He stated, “It empowers us to delve deeper into research, fosters innovation, and equips us with the necessary tools to provide the highest standard of healthcare to the good people of Rivers State and Nigeria at large.”

“The residency training program is the backbone of our healthcare system, as it moulds the next generation of medical specialists who will tackle the most pressing health challenges and medical research for advancing healthcare service delivery.

“By ensuring the timely payment of these grants, His Excellency, Sir Fubara, and our esteemed honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr (Mrs) Adaeze Oreh, have taken a decisive step in reducing the brain drain that has plagued our healthcare sector for far too long.”

Briggs noted that such investment by the state government in the health sector has placed the state on a global landscape, as the doctors are more motivated to work.

He added, “This support not only keeps our brightest minds within our borders but also ensures that they are well-equipped to serve our communities with excellence.

“We, the resident doctors, of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, are now more motivated than ever to push the boundaries of medical research and innovation. This will not only improve health service delivery but also elevate the standard of healthcare available to every Rivers citizen and resident.

“The ripple effect of this support will be felt across Nigeria, as we continue to share knowledge, collaborate with our peers, and contribute to the global medical community

“With this bold step taken by the state government, we believe the Medical Residency Training Act of 2017 will be domesticated in our dear state and this will seamlessly encourage residency training and payment of medical residency training funds to resident doctors for research purposes.”

South-South PUNCH correspondent reports that Governor Fubara had recently approved the release of over N300 million as a grant to 389 medical doctors in the state civil service, who are on residency training.

SOURCE: PUNCH NEWSPAPER

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