Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has called on all medical professionals in the country to make more sacrifices, even as President Bola Tinubu is equally taking very difficult decisions to better the country.
The governor made the call when he received a delegation in his office in Calabar from the Nigerian Medical Association led by the national president, Dr. Uche Ojinmah.
He stressed that for a nation to achieve greatness, sacrifices must be made by critical sectors and functionaries.
“President Bola Tinubu is making difficult decisions. Today’s sacrifices would lead to positive outcomes. Great nations are built on a foundation of sacrifice.
“Sacrifices are essential for the progress of Nigeria. Therefore, I call on you, too, to join in making some more sacrifices.”
He lamented the departure of medical personnel to neighboring countries.
He acknowledged the importance of health, saying the competition for medical professionals globally was fierce, with Nigeria facing a shortage.
“I commend you for choosing to contribute to the development of Nigeria despite the allure of greener pastures.”
Speaking earlier, the National President disclosed that his team was in Calabar for the annual NMA conference and delegates meeting.
He called for the recruitment of more medical doctors in Cross River State’s health sector and the implementation of a new salary scale for medical doctors.
Ojinmah informed Governor Otu that a new leadership would emerge for NMA after the conference in Calabar.
He commended the urban renewal programme in the state as well as the aesthetics in Calabar and its environs, which, according to him, had restored hope.
Ojinmah said: “Some people do not understand that aesthetics is part of good health.
“It is better to live in a clean and comfortable environment and be poor than to live in a slum and be rich because what can kill you may be in the air.”