Cross River Govt approves full implementation of CONMESS for medical doctors

[From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar]

Cross River Governor, Ben Ayade has approved full implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salaries Structure (CONMESS) for medical doctors in the state.

Wife of the governor, Dr. Linda Ayade who disclosed this in her office in Calabar, Thursday, said this will ensure that the salaries of doctors in the state will be equal to their counterparts serving at the federal level.

The governor’s wife was accompanied by the state’s Health Cmmissioner, Dr. Betta Edu and the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Janet Ekpenyong.

Dr. Ayade said the decision of the government to fully implement CONMESS was to address the brain drain in the sector.

She said the problems in the health sector require the collective effort of all stakeholders to address it.

“The exodus of doctors has always been there right from when I was a medical student.

“We should take one step forward at a time otherwise we will shoot ourselves in the foot .

“We are all involved in this problem and I believe we can collectively solve this problem.

“The problem in the health sector has always been there and is not getting solved rather the wounds are being deepened.

“What brings the solution is everyone taking the right step and collectively we will take a very big step forward”, she said.

She tasked stakeholders to stop pointing fingers but do something at their little corners and promised all health workers will be incorporated.

Also speaking, Dr. Edu said the governor approved 100 per cent CONMESS to address the dearth of doctors in the state.

She said the government cut of bureaucracy in order to engage as many doctors as possible but regretted that when they have the slightest offer elsewhere they leave the system.

She commended the governor for prioritizing the healthcare of the people and ensuring that in the midst of so little provision is made for doctors in the state.

State Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Innocent Abang, welcomed the 100% implementation of CONMESS in the state.

He said the state NMA has been working for this for over eleven years and the government approved 70% implementation of CONMESS for doctors years ago.

He added that the state is taking the right step and this will help address the mass exodus of medical doctors from the state.