The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has predicted that more Nigerians will suffer depression and hospitalization following the recent hike in petrol prices, emphasizing that it will exacerbate stress-induced medical conditions, social unrest, and even mortality
Penpushing reports that this prediction was made known by the chairman of Lagos State Chapter of the association Dr Saheed Kehinde in a statement, and therefore appealed to President Bola Tinubu to prioritise the welfare of Nigerians by immediately reversing the hike in prices of petrol.
The association expressed concern over the sudden increase in petrol prices by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), describing it as a unilateral decision that imposes further hardship on Nigerians.
“This unilateral decision has imposed further unbearable hardship on Nigerians, including our members, medical and dental doctors, who are already grappling with severe economic challenges and insecurity’, the statement said
‘Many of these members are being forced to leave the country in droves due to the dismal economic situation, and this recent development will only exacerbate the already dire circumstances they face”, it added.
Penpushing further reports that the Nigerian Doctors in the statement made available to journalists lamented that it is nearly impossible for those who earn an average of $300 per month among them to cope with the development.
‘How can we rationalise a situation where Doctors, who earn an average of $300 per month, are expected to navigate such astronomical increases in the cost of living? The recent hike in PMS prices has only worsened an already unsustainable economic reality for healthcare professionals, and indeed all Nigerians, making it nearly impossible for them to cope,” the association noted.
Penpushing also reports that the association declared that reversing the fuel price will provide much-needed relief to their members and the general public, who are already struggling under the weight of the recent removal of petrol subsidies, escalating inflation, rampant insecurity, high electricity tariffs, and excessive taxation on wages.”
The medical practitioners advised the Nigerian government to review its economic policies, move towards self-sufficiency in petroleum products, and address persistent insecurity to create a stable environment for economic growth.
“Furthermore, instead of continually burdening the populace with rising fuel prices, we strongly advise the Federal Government to rethink its economic policies. It is high time Nigeria moved towards self-sufficiency in the production of petroleum products, including PMS’, the statement reads
“We urge the government to expedite efforts to end the importation of petrol and focus on revitalising our local refineries. Additionally, addressing the persistent insecurity in the country must be a top priority if we are to create a stable environment, conducive for economic growth and reduce the ever-widening gap of hardship and poverty among Nigerians’, it reads.
‘The NMA Lagos State stands firm in its commitment to advocating for the well-being of all our members, who continue to provide essential healthcare services under increasingly difficult conditions’, the statement emphasized
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