Gombe health workers decry non-payment of allowances

A group of interns working with the Gombe State Government has cried to Governor Muhammadu Yahaya over unpaid allowances running for several months.

The group, comprising intern pharmacists, medical laboratory scientists, radiographers, physiotherapists, and nurses, urged the state government to facilitate the payment of the allowances.

In a petition obtained by our correspondent on Sunday, the interns urged the state government and relevant stakeholders to hear their cries over the unpaid allowances since they started working for the state.

According to the interns, several of them have spent more than a year without the benefit of receiving salaries, adding that the situation had left many of them “stranded as we can barely cater for ourselves and will not want a situation where our patients and even the public will begin to notice our distress.”

The petition read in part, “The Gombe State Government, under the watch of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, over time has demonstrated the spirit of sportsmanship in making the health sector the number one priority.

“We have seen the governor’s laudable achievements, for example, the new ultra-modern state specialist hospital, which other states are envious of the fully equipped structure as well as awarding contracts to build world-class general hospitals in Kumo, Kaltungo, Bajoga, and other primary health care facilities in the remote areas worth billions of naira.

“The government under the administration of his Excellency has also initiated a very praise-worthy initiative, which is the Go-health scheme that covers even the most vulnerable or any average resident of Gombe State to access free medical care.

Also commendable is the constitution of the long-awaited Gombe State Hospital Management Board to look into the welfare of the state health workers in terms of employment, promotions, upgrade and implementation.”

“However, we call on the public and other relevant stakeholders to add volume to our cry to his Excellency because we perceive that the governor is not fully aware of our plight. We strongly align with his vision to ensure a robust civil service where there will be equity and justice for all. We will not be silent and watch the legacies of His Excellency tainted by favoritism and inter-cadre disharmony.”