The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Ekiti State branch has urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure the full implementation of waivers on import duty and Value Added Tax (VAT) for drugs and other pharmaceuticals in the country.
The association explained that these waivers, recently announced by the President, when implemented, will help reduce the rising cost of drugs, making them more accessible to the public for healthier living.
The NMA stated this in a communiqué released at the end of its 27th Annual General Meeting, held in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, over the weekend. The communiqué was signed by the chairman, Dr. Oreyemi Ifedayo, and the secretary, Dr. Akinluyi Oluwatobi.
The doctors, who lamented the increasing levels of sudden deaths among citizens due to lack of access to required healthcare services, noted that the government at all levels must be deliberate in its efforts to alleviate the sufferings of the masses.
The NMA added that the government must listen to and address the concerns of youths who participated in the nationwide protests, emphasizing that the policies and programs of the government, especially the palliative measures, must be implemented so that people at the grassroots can feel their impact.
The communiqué reads, “The AGM called on the Federal Government 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 improve the living conditions of suffering Nigerians.
“The AGM called on the Federal Government to urgently review the palliative policies so that teeming Nigerians can feel the impact of such interventions.
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“The AGM called on the Federal Government to urgently address the perceived crisis in the oil sector in a bid to end the perennial scarcity and high cost of petroleum products in the country.
“The AGM urged the President to ensure the implementation of import duty and VAT waivers on drugs and medical consumables to make healthcare more affordable for Nigerians.
“This will definitely help prevent sudden deaths among Nigerians. Efforts must also be made not only to strengthen the NHIA to cover the majority of Nigerians in pursuit of Universal Coverage but also to ensure the implementation of the newly increased capitations on NHIA.
“The AGM urged the general public to engage in regular check-ups and comply with medical instructions to avert sudden deaths in Nigeria.”
The NMA commended the state governor, Biodun Oyebanji, for his commitment and dedication to the welfare of workers, especially those in the health sector, adding that “Ekiti State is now one of the most sought-after states for medical doctors in Nigeria.”
They lauded the governor for the payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to resident doctors at the State University Teaching Hospital, adding that “the AGM further appealed to the governor to domesticate the MRTF to ensure its perpetuity.”