NMA Ekiti Urges Tinubu to Enforce Drug Duty Waivers for Affordable Healthcare

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Ekiti State branch has called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure the full implementation of waivers on import duty and Value Added Tax (VAT) for drugs and pharmaceuticals in Nigeria.

The association emphasized that these waivers, recently announced by the President, when fully implemented, will help reduce the rising cost of drugs, making them more accessible to the public and promoting healthier living.

The NMA made this appeal in a communiqué released following its 27th Annual General Meeting held in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, over the weekend. The communiqué was signed by the NMA Ekiti State chairman, Dr. Oreyemi Ifedayo, and the secretary, Dr. Akinluyi Oluwatobi.

The doctors expressed concern over the increasing incidence of sudden deaths among citizens, which they attributed to a lack of access to essential healthcare services. They urged the government at all levels to be deliberate in its efforts to alleviate the suffering of the masses.

The NMA also called on the government to address the concerns of youths who participated in nationwide protests. They stressed that government policies and programs, especially palliative measures, must be effectively implemented to ensure that they reach and benefit people at the grassroots level.

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 urged the Federal Government to urgently review the palliative policies so that teeming Nigerians can feel the impact of such interventions.

“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 help prevent sudden deaths among Nigerians.

Efforts must also be made to strengthen the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to cover the majority of Nigerians in pursuit of Universal Health Coverage, and to ensure the implementation of the newly increased capitations under the 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 Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, for his commitment to the welfare of workers, particularly those in the health sector. They highlighted that Ekiti State is now one of the most sought-after states for medical doctors in Nigeria.

The association also lauded the governor for the payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to resident doctors at the State University Teaching Hospital. They further appealed to the governor to domesticate the MRTF to ensure its continued availability.