By Donald Ojebo
The Delta State Government has reassured its workforce of its commitment to continue to give their welfare top priority, while urging them to continue to support the administration in its bid to deliver the dividends of democracy to Deltans.
The Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme made this known in his office during a courtesy visit by the Executive Members of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Asaba Specialist Hospital.
“You all can testify to the fact that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is civil servant friendly and this he has shown from his actions that led to the payment of N5b promotion arrears of civil servants and the offsetting of the backlogs of pension of retirees in the State,” the Commissioner reiterated.
On the request for the payment of Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), he said resident Doctors in the State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, received their payments in January, 2024, while the request from those in the Hospital Management Board was being processed, as their request came in last month
Giving her remark, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Philomena Okeowo, admonished the Doctors to feel free to approach the leadership of the Ministry whenever they feel they have issues, which the Chief Medical Director (CMD) and/or the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) could not resolve.
She counselled the Doctors to work amicably with other health workers in the hospital with the view to ensuring there is peace and harmony in the work environment.
Earlier, the ARD President, Asaba Specialist Hospital, Dr. Roland Okowa, said that the essence of the visit was to formally introduce the Association to the Commissioner
He used the medium to thank the State Government for establishing the hospital and also for the efforts made so far that led to the full accreditation of some departments while other departments are in the process of getting accredited.
Explaining further, Dr. Okowa expressed delight over the approval of the MRTF, which is a testimony of the State Government’s commitment to the career development of members of staff of the hospital.
The Medical Residency Training Fund is the allowance paid to doctors in residency to cover examination and training costs. Meanwhile, the Delta State Government is among the very few states paying this fund.
