Cross River State Governor Sen. Bassey Edet Otu, has received members of the national executive of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Calabar.
The National President, Dr. Uche Ojinmah led the Exco to the Governor’s office for a meeting.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nsa Gill, confirmed this via a WhatsApp post on Tuesday May 7, 2024.
He said Governor Otu, while speaking at the meeting, highlighted how Nigeria faces a shortage with fierce of competition for medical professionals globally.
Also, Otu has noted that great nations built on a foundation of sacrifice.
Moreso, he has acknowledged the importance of health when he commended the people who chose to contribute to the development of Nigeria despite the allure of greener pastures.
Cross River governor insisted that the sacrifices were essential for the progress of Nigeria.
He therefore, lamented the departure of medical personnel to neighboring countries.
“More sacrifices must be made by medical professionals for the betterment of Nigeria,” said Otu.
“For a nation to achieve greatness, sacrifices must be made,” he reiterated.
Otu expressed confidence in the potential of the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of the Federal Government.
He maintained that President Bola Tinubu was making difficult decisions and noted that today’s sacrifices would lead to positive outcomes.
Meanwhile, the association’s National President had commended the Cross River governor’s urban renewal program in the state.
He said the aesthetics in Calabar and its environs had restored hope.
Ojinmah said: “Some people do not understand that aesthetics is part of good health.”
“It is better to live in a clean and comfortable environment and be poor than to live in a slum and be rich.”
The National President of NMA also disclosed that his team was in Calabar for the annual conference and delegates meeting of the association.
He called for the recruitment of more medical doctors in Cross River State’s health sector and the implementation of a new salary scale for medical doctors.
Ojinmah informed Governor Otu that a new leadership would emerge for NMA after the conference in Calabar.