Gombe Medical interns decry months of debt
A coalition of interns working in Gombe State Government medical facilities has sent Save Our Soul message to the Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, decrying months of debt.
The group comprising of intern Pharmacists, Medical Laboratory scientist, Radiographers, Physiotherapists and Nurses urged the state government to facilitate their payment.
In a petition obtained by our correspondent on Sunday, they urged the Government and relevant stakeholders to hear their cries over unpaid salaries since resumption of of work.
According to the coalition, A number of them have spent more than a year, without salary benefit, saying that this situation has left many of them “stranded as we can barely cater for ourselves and will not want a situation where our patients and even the public will begin to notice our distress.”
The petition partly read, “The Gombe state government under the watch of His Excellency Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya over time has demonstrated the spirit of sportsmanship in making the health sector his number one priority.
“We have seen his laudable achievements for example the new ultra-modern State specialist hospital which other states are envious of this fully equipped structure as well as awarding contracts to build world class general hospitals in Kumo, Kaltungo, Bajoga and other primary health care facilities in the remote areas worth Billions of Naira.
“The Government under the administration of his Excellency has also initiated a very praise-worthy initiative which is The Go-health scheme that covers even the most vulnerable or any average resident of Gombe State to access free medical care. Also the Creation of the long awaited Gombe State Hospital Management Board to look into the Welfare of the state health workers in terms of Employment, promotions, upgrade and implementation.
“However, we want to draw the attention of the public and other relevant stake-holders to add volume to our cry to his Excellency because we perceive the Governor is not fully aware of our plight. We strongly align with the vision of His Excellency to ensure a robust civil service where there will be equity and justice for all. We will not be silent and watch the legacies of His Excellency be tainted by favouritism or any intercadre disharmony.
“Therefore we are calling on all media platforms to help us send our message out until it gets to the hearing of our caring governor.”
May Almighty Allah Grant him the ability to change and consider their hope in him.
The Specialist hospital has mainly depend on intern trainees as source of man power. Instead of the state government to upgrade their salaries and enabling environment, it prefer to concentrate on capital projects to show. No health facility can operate without intensive human capital, but health care service can be delivered even without health facility. Therefore focusing and bettering on human resources should be number 1, 2 and 3 priority.
We’re please appealing with the hospital management board to look into this matter and find possible solution to bring to an end what will go and come back again.