Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora says the federal government has paid N20billion as COVID-19 allowance to health workers in Nigeria.
Mamora disclosed this on Wednesday during the Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
“We’ve been able to disburse close to N20billion and I repeat close to 20 billion. So, to now say nothing has been done, that is not true,” the minister was quoted by Channels TV as saying.
According to the minister, the federal government stopped the payment of hazard allowance to the health workers because of renegotiation with them.
“We were able to pay April, May full, June, part of it has been paid but not fully paid and it’s because of the economic situation and these funds have to be sourced for one way or the other,” he added.
Mamora explained that the funds were paid to “federal health institutions across the country including Federal Medical Centres (FMCs), teaching hospitals among others.
The Minister further explained that the N5,000 hazard allowance for doctors and health workers, has been in existence for about 30 years but was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Monday commenced an indefinite nationwide strike to press home its demand, which include a pay rise, better welfare, and adequate facilities.