The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Abia State Branch, has petitioned the state Governor-Elect, Dr. Alex Otti, of ongoing looting and destruction of government property at the Aba General Hospital.

The NMA subsequently called on the Governor-Elect to ensure that he restores the hospital to its once envious status as the foremost health facility in Abia State.

The Association presented the petition to Dr. Otti on Friday when its members paid a courtesy visit to congratulate the incoming Governor, at his country home in Umuehim-Nvosi, Isialangwa South Local Government Area.

In the petition signed by the Chairman, Dr Isaiah Abali and Secretary, Dr Daniel Ekeleme, the NMA said that majority of Abia people are happy with the election of Dr. Otti as their governor, and prayed that God would give him “the grace and wisdom to save and reposition the moribund Abia health sector”.

The NMA in its petition alerted Dr. Otti of what it described as “the destruction and looting of Aba General Hospital” in the twilight of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led administration of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

“This is a hospital that predates most of the doctors in Abia State and a centre that has contributed tremendously to the health care of the Abia inhabitants and its environs. We urge your incoming government to do your best in the restoration of this once great facility,” the doctors wrote.

They appealed to the Governor-Elect to rescue the doctors in the state, especially in the Abia State Teaching Hospital and those working under the Health Management Board, who are owed many months of salary arrears, saying that they have faced untold hardship.

Led by its Chairman, to the visit, the NMA further sought the cooperation of the incoming government to send a Bill to the State House of Assembly, making it mandatory for tricycle riders and all market stall owners to pay a statutory health insurance fee.

“Such fees would cover the enrollee and some members of his family for a year, depending on the plan, and grant them access to good medicare from recognised health facilities in Abia State.

This would not only reduce the morbidity and mortality rates in the state, but would also go a long way in curbing quackery,” they told Otti.

Dr. Otti thanked the doctors for their visit and sympathised with them on the hardship they had been made to go through by the current government.

He restated his promise to pay all verifiable outstanding salaries owed civil servants in the state.

Photo: Dr Alex Otti with the Chairman of NMA, Dr Isaiah Abali.