News
Ondo NMA Rejects FG’s Plan To Review Doctors’ Allowances
The Ondo State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association has rejected the Federal Government’s plan to review allowances for medical and dental officers in the federal public service.
The association made its position known in a communiqué issued after an emergency meeting held in Akure, the state capital.
The statement, made available to newsmen on Thursday, was jointly signed by the state chairman, Dr Alonge Olumuyiwa, and secretary, Dr Olaopa Gideon.
The communiqué read, “The recent circular issued by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission concerning the review of allowances for medical and dental officers in the Federal Public Service has raised significant concerns within the healthcare community.
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“This obnoxious circular is coming against the background of a perennial shortage of the human resource for health in the various facets and at all levels of healthcare in the face of the japa syndrome, with its attendant work overload experienced by doctors and other health workers who chose to stay behind to serve our people.
“Other problems include, but are not limited to, very poor remuneration of doctors, poor condition of service, and a backlog of owed arrears.
“In light of our careful examination of this development and its implications for the already challenged healthcare system in our nation, the Ondo State Branch of the Nigerian Medical Association wishes to express its very strong disapproval of this circular.”
The association expressed solidarity with the National Officers Committee of the NMA and backed its demands to the Federal Government, including the immediate withdrawal of the circular and a 300 per cent salary increase for all medical and dental practitioners.
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“We, therefore, urge that these important requests be addressed promptly. The universal applicability of salary adjustments and allowances for medical and dental practitioners across all state MDAs, the private sector, universities, and house officers.
“An immediate review of the consequential adjustments in line with the agreements made in the 2001, 2009, and 2014 Collective Bargaining Agreements. Correct the relativity agreement between CONMESS and CONHESS, ensuring compliance with the 2001 CBA, particularly regarding call duty allowances and payment of all accrued backlogs,” the statement added
The association appealed to senior medical professionals to speak out in defence of the profession, stressing that their voices would amplify the struggle.
The NMA also directed its members in the state to be on standby for further directives on potential industrial action.
News
Smokers Risk Cardiac Arrest, Expert Warns
A Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery, in the department of surgery, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Uyo, Prof Eyo Ekpe has warned cigarettes smokers and patients with diabetes to take adequate of their chest in order not to fall a victim of cardiac arrest .
He said that these health conditions trigger certain types of abnormal heartbeats called arrhythmias responsible for sudden cardiac arrest.
Professor Ekpe gave the warning on Wednesday while delivering the 117th Inaugural Lecturer of the University of Uyo, titled “My Chest! My Chest!! My Chest!!!: Relieving Chest Pain, Preventing Death and Restoring Health”
He disclosed that many Nigerians have died for ignoring cardiac arrest triggers, preventing them, or seeking late medical attention to chest related ailments.
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“Chest pain should not be ignored. Symptom of chest pain that is reported early would afford the clinician the opportunity to obtain adequate medical history from the person, medically examine the person thoroughly, optimally conduct the necessary laboratory tests to unravel the cause, and apply an evidence based treatment modality to relieve the chest pain, prevent death and restore heath.
“People should guard their heart diligently to prevent heart attack. Cigarette should not be smoked, high blood pressure should be prevented or controlled, diabetes mellitus should be prevented or controlled, and high blood cholesterol and lipoprotein should be prevented or controlled. A culture of regular physical exercise must be intentionally domesticated.
“People should guard their heart diligently to prevent cardiac arrest. Causes and triggers of arrhythmias should be prevented by preventing stress, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, coronary artery disease and electrolyte disorders, and avoiding cigarette smoking and alcohol abuse,” he stated.
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Ekpe said medical consultation for chest problems should be with qualified medical doctors to avoid misdiagnosis, wrong treatment and complications, adding that regular medical checks and timely reports of symptoms of ailments must be prioritised.
“Safe-driving habit and road safety must be taken as a serious business. Seat restrained-belt should be used by all occupants of moving vehicles.
“Bicycles, motorcycles and tricycles should not ply traffic-congested roads. All victims of chest pain and chest injuries must be attended to by qualified medical doctors in a timely manner,” he advised.
News
FirstBank’s Digital Banking Channels Suffers Downtime
FirstBank has suffered a temporary disruption to its major digital banking channels, which will prevent some customers from completing transactions.
In a notice issued on Thursday, the bank said the downtime is affecting services on FirstMobile, FirstOnline, and its *894# USSD platforms.
“Please be informed that we are currently experiencing some downtime affecting transactions to other banks on FirstMobile, FirstOnline, and USSD platforms. Customers may therefore experience delayed or declined transactions,” the circular read.
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The bank apologised for the inconvenience and assured customers that its technical team, working with partner service providers, is making every effort to restore full services as quickly as possible.
The disruption occurred less than two months after FirstBank introduced facial biometric authentication on its FirstMobile app, designed to enhance the customer experience and security.
News
JUST IN: Tinubu Begins 10-day Vacation, Departs Abuja For Europe
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday commenced a 10-day vacation as part of his 2025 annual leave, the Presidency announced.
According to a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President will spend the 10-working-day vacation between France and the United Kingdom, after which he will return to Nigeria.
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Onanuga said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja today, September 4, to commence a working vacation in Europe, as part of his 2025 annual leave.
“The vacation will last 10 working days.
“President Tinubu will spend the period between France and the UK and then return to the country.”
Details later…
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