News Room Health workers across Plateau State have expressed profound appreciation to the Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, following the recent review and implementation of revised salaries and allowances for healthcare professionals in the state.
In a joint statement issued by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Plateau State Specialist Hospital, led by Dr. Elizabeth Kassem Azi, and the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP), led by Dr. Dyalbak Luka, the doctors described the implementation as a “historic gesture.”
The breakthrough comes as a direct resolution to an intense labor dispute that recently threatened to paralyze the state’s public health apparatus. Before this agreement, Plateau State healthcare faced a total shutdown as NAGGMDP and ARD doctors issued a 7-day strike ultimatum to Governor Caleb Mutfwang on Monday, April 27th, demanding the full implementation of the wage structure.
READ MORE: Health crisis looms in Plateau as doctors issue 7-day strike ultimatum
Joint Statement Signals Resolution
In a joint appreciation message issued in Jos, the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Plateau State Specialist Hospital, and the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP) confirmed the implementation and expressed gratitude to the state government.
Dr. Elizabeth Kassem Azi, President of ARD PSSH, and Dr. Dyalbak Luka, Chairman of NAGGMDP Plateau State, described the salary review as a “historic gesture” that reinforces the administration’s goal to position Plateau State as a regional hub for medical tourism.
The union leadership emphasized that the competitive pay structure would play a critical role in workforce retention, addressing the chronic migration of doctors and healthcare professionals from state service.
We are hopeful that this impactful measure will improve the fortunes of the health sector in Plateau State and better serve the good people of the state.
Government and Labor Stakeholders Acknowledged
The resolution followed extensive inter-ministerial negotiations. The healthcare unions specifically credited several key administration officials for their roles in brokering the agreement, including:
- Mr. Stephen Pam Gadongs, Head of Civil Service of Plateau State
- Hon. Nicholas Baamlong, Honourable Commissioner for Health
- Mr. Peter Lamba mni, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Establishment
- Professor Christopher Yilgwan, Chief Medical Director, Plateau State Specialist Hospital
- Dr. Benjamin Summi, Chief Medical Director, Hospital Management Board
The statement also acknowledged strategic support from national and regional medical bodies, citing interventions by the President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Dr. Usman Muhammad, and the Plateau State Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Yilji Kumtap, alongside the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN).
Continuity of Advocacy
The current executive committees commended their predecessors, including immediate past ARD President Dr. Shainaan Andrew Yilvuk and former NAGGMDP Chairman Dr. Dusu, for laying the groundwork during the early stages of the wage dispute.
With the industrial friction cleared and the new salary scale implemented, operations across all state-owned general hospitals and specialist centers are expected to continue without disruption, marking a significant boost to local healthcare delivery.
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