Governor Douye Diri has officially enacted the Medical Residency Training Law 2024, placing Bayelsa State at the forefront as the pioneer state in Nigeria to adopt this progressive legislation aimed at empowering resident doctors.
The executive proposal forwarded to the Bayelsa State House of Assembly includes provisions for financial assistance tailored to enable resident doctors to pursue specialized training in their respective fields, marking a crucial step towards enhancing healthcare expertise within the state.
Extending appreciation to the House of Assembly, the governor acknowledged the swift attention given to the bill, underscoring its vital role in advancing healthcare policies and initiatives within the state.
Emphasizing his administration’s unwavering dedication to employee well-being, the governor pledged to sustain efforts in fostering a supportive atmosphere for resident doctors, who face the looming threat of brain drain, underscoring the imperative of retaining skilled medical professionals.
The leader of Bayelsa, expressing satisfaction in the state’s pioneering status with this legislation, assured that every facet of the new law would be meticulously enforced, underscoring the administration’s unwavering commitment to its implementation
He said: ‘I know this is one area that our unionists have been very interested in. Every meeting they have had with me, this issue was tabled and I promised to do something about it.
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‘I am happy that this went as an executive bill to the state assembly and the assembly expeditiously attended to it, knowing its importance.
‘This government prioritises the welfare of our workers. If our workers in the medical profession see this law as something that must be attended to and we agreed with them for the benefit of the larger society, today we have put pen to paper and it is now a law.’
He appreciated the medical unions for demanding what would enhance the status of resident doctors and the whole of society.
In his statement, the Majority Leader of the House of Assembly, Monday Obolo-Bubou, underscored the legislature’s acknowledgment of the bill’s critical role in improving the performance of healthcare practitioners in the state, attributing the expeditious passage to its anticipated positive impact on healthcare delivery.
He elaborated that the legislation aims to enhance the skill set of resident doctors through ongoing training initiatives, ultimately bolstering the workforce and improving patient care standards.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Dr. Oyinke Godbless, further informed Government House correspondents that the legislation would pave the way for an increase in the number of surgeons, anesthetists, and specialized physicians, as the state government allocates funds towards the medical sector.