The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) has commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his recent payment of the medical residency training grant. The association highlighted that this initiative demonstrates the governor’s commitment to enhancing healthcare in Rivers State and plays a significant role in boosting the morale of resident doctors.
During a press briefing in Port Harcourt, Dr. Nimi Briggs, President of ARD, RSUTH Chapter, emphasized that the grant would enable resident doctors to deepen their research, foster innovation, and improve the quality of healthcare provided to the state’s residents and the nation as a whole. Dr. Briggs also acknowledged the crucial role played by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, in achieving this milestone, describing the governor’s action as a crucial step towards curbing the brain drain in Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
Dr. Briggs stressed that the timely payment of the residency training grant, alongside other state government policies aimed at improving healthcare, would help retain top medical talent within the country. He noted that this support empowers doctors to advance medical research and provides them with the tools needed to deliver excellent healthcare services.
Governor Fubara recently released N300 million to support 389 medical doctors in the state’s civil service who are currently undergoing residency training. This move is seen as a significant step towards the domestication of the Medical Residency Training Act of 2017 in Rivers State, which would further encourage residency training and the timely disbursement of funds for research purposes.
Dr. Briggs expressed deep appreciation to the governor for his visionary leadership, which includes promoting doctors, upgrading hazard allowances, and ensuring the payment of the consolidated medical salary structure. He concluded by reaffirming the commitment of resident doctors in RSUTH to pushing the boundaries of medical research and innovation, with the ultimate goal of improving healthcare standards in Rivers State and beyond.
