The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Nasarawa State chapter has called on government to introduce life insurance for medical doctors working in various health facilities in the state.
Dr Sabo Emmanuel, NMA Chairman in the state made the call while delivering his address at the 2022 Annual General Meeting of the association on Tuesday in Lafia.
Emmanuel, who gave report of his stewardship in office having served the association in the last two years, said that life insurance for doctors is imperative because of the hazardous nature of their job.
He explained that not too long ago, two senior doctors died of Lassa fever while attending to a patient and there is little or nothing to take care of their families.
He added that doctors had no choice than to attend to patient no matter what their conditions are and as such, they are vulnerable to diseases.
The chairman also decried high tax being deducted from their members on the payroll of the state government.
He appealed to the government to review the tax downward in line with the relevant laws to sustain industrial harmony.
The chairman expressed gratitude to members of the association for their support to the present officials and appealed to them to extend similar support to the incoming officials.
Meanwhile, Dr Tuko Moses in a presentation entitled: “The concept of dialysis in renal replacement”, said dialysis could be very effective if properly done.
He said dialysis could sustain the life of a patient for a long time in a way that such patient could live a normal life.
Moses, however, said that the cost for dialysis “is high and the public ought to seek medical attention early when the symptoms are discovered”.
He said when the health challenge was tackled early, it would prevent one from getting to the level that dialysis would be needed.
On his part, Dr Haza Gwamna, Executive Chairman, Nasarawa State Health Insurance Agency appealed to NMA to embark on massive advocacy for everyone to join the health insurance scheme in the state.
Highlights of the AGM include awards to deserving members who have distinguished themselves in various areas and paper presentations, among others.