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  • Jigawa NMA raises the alarm on delayed doctors’ salary review, blames minimum wage committee

    Jigawa NMA raises the alarm on delayed doctors’ salary review, blames minimum wage committee

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Jigawa chapter has raised the alarm over the continued silence and inaction of the State’s Minimum Wage Implementation Committee, accusing it of deliberately sabotaging efforts to improve doctors’ welfare.

    In a statement on Monday, the association expressed “deep concern and utter disappointment” over the committee’s failure to submit a report on the fiscal implications of salary adjustments for doctors, a directive that was personally issued by Governor Malam Umar Namadi FCA over five months ago.

    According to the NMA, following a pivotal meeting with the Governor earlier in the year, His Excellency had directed the committee to meet with the association and submit a report within two weeks. 

    The report was expected to address salary entry point disparities, implement new hazard allowances, and correct call duty payments to bring them in line with federal standards.

    Despite assurances that the assignment was completed weeks ago, the committee has yet to submit its findings. 

    “We have credible reasons to believe this silence is a tactical delay and a deliberate disregard for the governor’s directive,” the NMA said.

    In just four months, over 30 medical doctors have resigned from public hospitals in the state. 

    Many of them, the NMA said, are moving to federal institutions and other states where the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) is being fully implemented.

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    “This is not just an administrative delay. It is a crisis,” the association warned. “We are losing our best-trained professionals at an alarming rate. If this trend continues, the very foundation of Jigawa’s healthcare system is at risk.”

    While expressing appreciation for the efforts of the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Muhammad Kainuwa, and commending the governor’s broader healthcare initiatives — including what they described as a “record-breaking minimum wage package” — the NMA stressed that urgent action is now needed to retain what remains of the state’s medical workforce.

    “We urge His Excellency to compel the Minimum Wage Committee to immediately submit the agreed report and recommendations,” the statement concluded.

    The NMA said it remains hopeful that the governor will act swiftly to prevent a full-blown collapse of the state’s healthcare delivery.

  • Proposed doctors’ strike may be averted as FG, NMA begin high-level talks

    Proposed doctors’ strike may be averted as FG, NMA begin high-level talks

    There are strong indications that the planned nationwide strike by doctors may be called off, as the federal government and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) have entered into high-level discussions aimed at resolving the issues in dispute.

    The NMA had, on July 2, issued a 21-day ultimatum to the government, demanding the withdrawal of a contentious circular from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), which revised the allowances of medical and dental officers in the federal public service.

    Describing the circular as a violation of existing agreements and a threat to doctors’ welfare, the NMA warned that failure to address the concerns would lead to industrial action once the ultimatum expired on July 23.

    However, in a positive turn of events, the federal government has initiated negotiations with the association through a series of meetings involving the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, the NSIWC, and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

    Speaking on the development, NMA President, Prof. Bala Audu, confirmed that deliberations began on Tuesday and continued on Wednesday, describing the talks as productive and promising.

    “If the government sustains this level of engagement and we reach a logical conclusion, it is most unlikely that there will be a strike,” Audu said.

    He explained that the NMA’s concerns fall into two main categories: unresolved issues that had been previously agreed upon and new matters requiring negotiation.

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    “All we are asking is for the government to honour existing agreements during the review of allowances and benefits. They have agreed to sit with us and examine the documents guiding those agreements,” he stated.

    Audu also noted that progress had been made on one of the association’s key demands — the Medical Residency Training Fund — with a significant portion of the 2025 fund already disbursed.

    Other demands by the NMA include full implementation of agreed allowances, improvement of doctors’ working conditions, and adequate funding for residency training programmes.

    With negotiations ongoing and signs of goodwill on both sides, there is growing hope that the looming strike may be avoided.

  • NMA urges Sanwo-Olu to approve retirement age review for doctors to curb exodus

    NMA urges Sanwo-Olu to approve retirement age review for doctors to curb exodus

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State chapter, has called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to urgently approve the implementation of an upward review of the retirement age for healthcare workers from 60 to 65 years, citing the growing exodus of medical professionals.

    In a letter signed by the NMA Lagos Chairman, Dr. Saheed Babajide Kehinde, and Deputy Secretary, Dr. Olusola Temiloluwa Soyinka, the association warned that failure to implement the policy could further deplete the state’s already strained healthcare workforce.

    The appeal comes on the heels of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for the extension of retirement age across the health sector—a directive the NMA says Lagos must domesticate promptly, especially as Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre and a critical hub for healthcare services.

    Lagos currently has around 8,000 doctors catering to an estimated population of 30 million, a figure the association described as “grossly inadequate,” especially as brain drain continues to worsen the doctor-to-patient ratio.

    “The healthcare system is facing an emergency,” Dr. Kehinde said in an interview. “Infrastructure can be expanded, but without retaining personnel, it will amount to nothing. We are losing our most experienced hands daily, and this policy will help slow the bleeding.”

    He lamented that under the current policy, seasoned doctors are forced into retirement at a time when their skills and mentorship are most needed, often returning under contract terms that lack dignity and hinder productivity.

    “The same state government that extended retirement ages for teachers, lecturers, and judicial officers should do the same for health workers,” he added.

    Kehinde also faulted the strategy of increasing medical school admissions as a standalone solution to the workforce shortage, arguing that unless underlying issues such as poor welfare, limited facilities, and burnout are addressed, newly trained doctors will continue to leave the country in search of better opportunities.

    He concluded by urging the Lagos State Government to show political will in implementing the retirement age extension, which he described as a necessary step toward stabilising the healthcare sector and safeguarding the lives of millions of Lagosians.

    “The health sector should not be left behind. Lagos is the centre of excellence. If the healthcare system collapses here, it is a reflection of the entire country,” he warned.

    The NMA stressed that retaining experienced hands would not only address staffing gaps but also promote mentorship, uphold professional dignity, and reduce the burden of recruiting and training new personnel under duress.

    Kehinde also decried the growing crisis facing young medical graduates in securing hospital placements for their mandatory one-year internship, describing the situation as “a ticking time bomb.”

    He, noted that despite increasing enrollment in medical schools across the country, there has been no corresponding expansion in the number of accredited hospitals to absorb graduates for internship, a key requirement for their professional licensing.

    “Doctors have graduated for over a year, some close to two years, and are still roaming around looking for where to do their internship. It’s becoming a serious problem,” he lamented.

    According to him, while Lagos State has made efforts to increase the number of accredited centers—adding a few general hospitals to the previously limited list that included Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), and the Federal Medical Centre (FMC)—the slots available are grossly inadequate compared to the volume of graduates being churned out.

    “Many of these centres only take 20 or 30 interns at a time. Yet, every medical school, both public and private, is expanding its student intake. When they graduate, where do they go?” he queried.

    Kehinde criticised government planning, saying it is “uncoordinated and unsustainable” to expand training institutions without a structured internship pipeline in place.

    “You can’t train a student for six years and then abandon them to scramble for internship slots like they’re begging for jobs,” he said.

    He noted that the Doctors are stranded and frustrated. The system is not thinking ahead.”

    He warned that unless urgent steps are taken to accredit more hospitals and create structured internship placement systems, Nigeria may witness a further breakdown in healthcare service continuity and even higher rates of brain drain.

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    “We are producing doctors we cannot absorb. What message are we sending to these young professionals? That they are not needed?” he asked.

    The NMA appeals to federal and state governments, as well as the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), to urgently prioritise internship infrastructure and make it a central part of healthcare and education policy.

    “If we don’t fix this bottleneck now, we will be losing even more doctors to Japa before they ever get a chance to serve the country,” Kehinde warned.

    They urged the Lagos State Government to act swiftly in implementing the policy in line with the Federal Government’s THEME-PLUS agenda and national healthcare reform efforts.

    “Let those who have chosen to serve their country be allowed to serve with dignity and retire with honour,” the letter read.

  • Increasing retirement age of health workers will address brain drain, says NMA

    Increasing retirement age of health workers will address brain drain, says NMA

    The first vice president of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Benjamin Olowojebutu, has said increasing the retirement age of health workers from 60 to 65 will address the problem of brain drain, popularly known as “Japa” in the health sector.

    This was as he called for speedy passage of the Bill to increase the retirement age of health workers in the country from 60 to 65 and also increase the maximum pensionable years of service from 35 to 40.

    He said this when he and some members of NMA paid a visit to the member representing Agege federal constituency, Lagos State, Hon Wale Ahmed, in his office at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja to express appreciation for sponsoring the Bill.

    The Bill is titled: “A bill for an act to make provisions for the retirement age increment for health workers in Nigeria and for related matters.”

    “We are here to say a big thank you to our colleague and a member of the House of Representatives, Honorable Doctor, Wale Ahmed, for championing this important bill in the quest for healthcare delivery in this country. This is a way to reverse medical Japa and medical retirement.

    “One of the things we realize is that a lot of our doctors have experience, and when they exit after retirement those who replace them are younger colleagues that still need experience.

    “So one of the things to do is to increase their age so that there are more experiences for those younger doctors to learn from when they retire.

    “So we’re glad that we’ve come to see him today, and he has shown a lot more commitment to expedite the bill to become law in this country. And I can assure you, it will improve the morale of doctors in this country.

    “It will increase the capacity of training. It will improve the experience of our younger colleagues going forward. So we’re grateful to God, and we thank him for all he has done. We’re praying that God gives him more strength and more wisdom and also gives him good health in making this dream come through for Nigerian doctors now and beyond.

    “We want to appeal to the leadership of the House to look at this bill as a comprehensive bill that will aid healthcare delivery in this country that will support the livelihood of medical doctors that have served this country for a long time, and the passion we have put into this country.

    “A lot of our friends have left the country, but some of us are still very dogged and passionate about staying in the country because we are patriotic. We have a lot of passion for the health care of this nation, so we appeal to the leadership of the House to help us expedite this bill and let us enjoy the passion and the commitment we are giving to the Nigerian population,” he said.

    President of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, Mohammed Aminu Mohammed, said the bill improves health care service delivery in the country.

    “Proposing this bill that has passed the second reading to increase the retirement age of healthcare workers to 65 is a worthy bill that needs urgent attention.

    “I plead to the leadership of the National Assembly, especially the Federal House of Representatives, the speaker and his able lieutenants to facilitate, to give this bill the urgency it deserves, just like the way they are given the national budget the urgency it deserves because it is going to touch the life of the masses from the cradle. That means, from when they were born to the oldest person in Nigeria.

    “We discovered that, as it affects our members, which is the apex of the medical profession, we have just a little over 6000 consultants in Nigeria. In a study that we conducted this year, we found out that about one-quarter of this number has replaced those country have left this country in the last five years.

    “To make this bill more relevant, we also found out that one, 1/3 that is 33.3% of all consultants that we have in Nigeria are already 55 years and above which means in the next five years, this number 1/3 is going to retire if nothing is done to this bill.

    “So pray that the National Assembly will view it as a point of national importance to pass this bill with all the urgency to which it deserves.

    “The passage of the bill is going to prolong the service years of the most experienced health care professionals in Nigeria. That is by no means going to improve the quality of health care in Nigeria and reduce the bad or the poor health indices that we have in this country because the most experience is going to remain in service so that they can impact their experiences.

    “They can impact the knowledge they gather over time. They can also continue to train others who will now become doctors. So they are not going to be doctors and healthcare workers alone, but they are going to come up right from the beginning with the wealth of experience that they have extracted from the people who have had their years of service extended.

    “With this, it is going to go a long way in making sure that we have a better health care service. We have well-motivated healthcare providers so that collectively, it can impact positively on the healthcare delivery in Nigeria,” he said.

    A representative of the Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Dr Izuagba Kelechi Udoka, lauded the lawmaker for his efforts in pushing the bill.

    “I believe with this, it will entice some of the people who have travelled out to come back and then be part of this force to move medical services and delivery,” she said.

    Hon Ahmed in his response said he was only doing his job as a legislator.

    He said his primary motive was representing all the people of Nigeria and improving the healthcare delivery system in Nigeria.

    “It also translates to the fact that doctors will be able to stay doctors and other healthcare professionals will be able to stay longer in service to pass on the experience to younger people and to maintain the required number of staff, which had never been enough at any time not to talk of, is now being depleted by migration and by retirement at the age of 60.

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     “So I was only doing my job and serving the people of Nigeria, but I’m happy it came to light. I want to thank the leadership of the House and all my colleagues for allowing it to scale through the second reading, and I’m using this opportunity to make a commitment that I will work as assiduously to make sure action is expedited on the passage of the bill,” he said.

    Recall that the Nigerian House of Representatives on Thursday, October 31st, 2024 passed for the second reading a bill extending the retirement age for health workers in Nigeria from 60 to 65 years.

    The proposed bill when becomes law would also increase the maximum pensionable years of service from 35 to 40.

    Also present during the courtesy visit are Dr Ayoku Emeka, Chairman, NMA FCT,

    Dr Tasie Obinna, MMA FCT liaison to National Assembly, Professor Alhaji Ibrahim, Secretary General, Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, MDCAN among others.

  • NMA seeks end to salary disparity between Doctors in class, hospitals

    NMA seeks end to salary disparity between Doctors in class, hospitals

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) called for an end to the pay gap between medical doctors in hospitals and those in academic services.

    This was revealed during the recognition of Dr. Bello Jamoh, the Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Board, with an Award of Excellence by the Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA).

    NMA President, Professor Muhammad Bala Audu, appealed while speaking at the inaugural Annual General Meeting of the Ahmadu Bello University branch of NAMDA, where Dr. Jamoh was honoured. In his keynote address on “Contemporary Issues in Medical Education: The Role of Career Guidance and Mentorship,” Professor Audu, who is also the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Science, Azare, outlined key challenges facing medical education in Nigeria.

    He emphasised that the standard of Medical education must not be lowered, adding that, that is the only way to ensure that, graduates of medical schools can compete favourably with their counterparts from anywhere in the world.

    Professor Audu said the reason Nigerian trained Medical Doctors are well sought after even in the advanced nations, was nothing but because of the standard of their training.

    He, however, noted that one of the contemporary issues was the disparity in remuneration for Medical Doctors practising in hospitals and those lecturing in universities.

    “One the contemporary issues we are advocating for is the universal applicability of what is being done for medical doctors who practice within the hospital sector, in the teaching hospitals, should be reflected within the university system. Doctors are on a particular salary system that is called CONMESS. Whether or not they practice in the hospital, it should be the same for those who lecture in the universities,” he said.

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    Also speaking at the event, Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Professor Kabir Bala who was represented by Professor Muhammad Shehu described NAMDA as crucial for Nigeria’s healthcare advancement.

    Highlights of the event include the presentation of the award to the Executive Secretary of Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Board, Professor Bello Jamoh for the outstanding achievements recorded by the state government in Primary Healthcare delivery.

    Speaking to newsmen after receiving the Award, Dr. Jamoh assured that the gesture will spur him to strive more for excellence, which will in turn lead to an increase in our health indices.

    He said the Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Board under the SUSTAIN agenda of Governor Uba Sani will be collaborating with NAMDA to achieve the primary healthcare delivery goals of the government.

  • UHC: NMA seeks FG support for private-sector health facilities

    UHC: NMA seeks FG support for private-sector health facilities

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has called on the federal government to provide support to private-sector healthcare providers, considering their vital role in complementing the public healthcare system and contributing significantly to the country’s progress towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

    The NMA’s president, Prof. Bala Audu, who led a delegation to Alliance Hospital, Abuja recently, emphasised that the outstanding accomplishments of private health facilities like Alliance Hospital underscore the urgent need for government support and backing to sustain and expand their contributions to Nigeria’s healthcare system.

    The support, according to him, is crucial as Nigeria strives to achieve its UHC goals, adding that adequate funding and state-of-the-art equipment are essential for these institutions to thrive and for Nigeria to become a hub for medical tourism.

    Audu, who is also the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, noted that government support underscores the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors in advancing Nigeria’s healthcare system.

    “Adequate funding and state-of-the-art equipment are essential for these institutions to thrive and for Nigeria to become a destination for medical tourism,” he said.

    While commending the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Christopher Otabor, on the impressive achievements of his health facility, the NMA president encouraged him to strive for even greater heights, noting that the hospital’s accomplishments not only reflect positively on the association but also enhance the nation’s global reputation on quality healthcare service delivery.

    According to him, the hospital’s exemplary work in orthopaedics and its groundbreaking success in IVF are positioning Nigeria as a potential hub for medical tourism.

    He said: “We are here to understand and support private healthcare providers who are setting benchmarks in specialized, high-quality care.

    “Our goal is to ensure every Nigerian has access to patient-centred healthcare that respects and addresses their needs.

    “The visit by the Nigerian Medical Association underscores the importance of private-public collaboration in healthcare, and Nigerians need to know that world-class healthcare is available right here at home, more affordable and culturally fitting than seeking treatment abroad.

    “Alliance Hospital’s achievements are a beacon of hope, demonstrating that with the right support and dedication, Nigeria can indeed become a leader in global healthcare.”

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    In his response, Otabor expressed gratitude for the NMA leadership’s encouragement, noting that the hospital’s excellence in orthopaedic surgery and IVF has earned it a reputation that extends beyond Nigeria’s borders.

    He highlighted that the hospital is now attracting patients from developed countries, a clear indication of its high standards and the trust it has earned globally, saying, “This influx of international patients is a testament to the hospital’s success and its ability to compete with the best healthcare facilities worldwide.

    “Alliance Hospital’s success is attracting international attention, with patients from developed countries seeking treatment. This influx of medical tourism is a testament to the hospital’s high standards and the trust it has garnered globally.”

  • NMA to Bello: your investments in health unmatched

    NMA to Bello: your investments in health unmatched

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kogi State chapter, has lauded Governor Yahaya Bello for his massive investments in Kogi health sector, declaring that the governor’s giant strides in the sector are unmatched in the country.

    The medical doctors said under the administration of Governor Bello, the health sector received the greatest attention and commitment in terms of standard health care delivery for the people of the state in the last eight years, noting that “this has never been witnessed before in the state.”

    Kogi NMA, in a goodwill message written to the governor and signed by its Chairman, Dr. Baoku Olusola and Secretary, Dr. Jonah Bola Kelvin, heaped praises on Governor Bello for prioritising the health sector and funding it massively.

    The doctors maintained that the infrastructure and plethora of other health care facilities built by the current administration had made Kogi health sector a model to copy by other states.

    While appreciating Governor Bello for approving the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and the hazard allowance of doctors in Kogi State, even when 26 other states of the federation had yet to implement any of them, the association told the two-term governor: “Your name has been written in gold and you will never be forgotten Sir as the conqueror.

    “All the doctors in Kogi State write to express our profound gratitude to your Excellency on the unprecedented unmatchable and indelible mark you have made in the health sector in the state. We appreciate the great and giant strides you have achieved since your divine assumption into the office of the Governor of Kogi.

    “We acknowledge your achievements in the area of passion, commitment and unwavering dedication to the health of all Kogi indigenes demonstrated by the huge investment your administration committed to the infrastructure and other health care facilities in Kogi State.

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    “We appreciate the prompt payment of salaries of members, the current payment of 50 per cent hazard allowance, the cash donation to all the widows of our late colleagues, the grand reception of our members in government house during our courtesy visit, the cash donation to all the medical students of Federal University, Lokoja, the security of lives and properties enjoyed by doctors in Kogi State and the enabling environment your administration has provided for all our members to be able to discharge their duties effectively in the state.

    “We are confident and can boldly say that the health sector received the greatest of your attention and commitment under your administration and this has never been witnessed before in the state.

    “We hereby send you this goodwill message wishing you God’s continuous protections, blessings and favour. We pray Almighty Allah continue to direct your path, strengthen you and grant all your heart desires. Most especially, we pray that God takes you to the highest level of service to the nation.

    “We want to affirm that you are the greatest legacy your dearest mother has given to Kogi State and we pray that God continue to rest her soul in the bosom of Almighty Allah. As we celebrate this festive period, we wish you season greetings and many more years in life,” the doctors’ message to Governor Bello read.

  • NMA intervenes in organ harvesting market report controversy

    NMA intervenes in organ harvesting market report controversy

    • •Union: law guiding practice should be reviewed, strengthened

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has expressed concern about the increasing trend of organ souring and harvesting in the country.

    The union has called for a review of the law guiding this aspect of the law to strengthen the practice.

    The nation’s regulatory body for medical practice said its call became compelling in light of the recent negative controversies surrounding organ donation across the country.

    It noted that since organ donation is a relatively new practice in Nigeria, the governing law, as outlined in the National Health Act of 2014, is limited.

    NMA said expressed concern about the trend, saying organ harvesting was expected to rise soon.

    The Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the NMA, Charles Ugwuanyi, expressed the union’s concern while addressing reporters yesterday in Abuja.

    The union leader alluded to a reported controversial organ harvesting market in Abuja involving a national newspaper (not The Nation) and an Abuja-based hospital.

    He stressed that the relatively young practice of organ transplant should be safeguarded from potential collapse due to unscrupulous elements that are exploiting the weak law.

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    Ugwuanyi said the NMA had to step in when the report surfaced because it directly impacted the field of medical practice.

    He said: “We always made it clear at every opportunity that the laws guiding organ harvest or organ sourcing is too scanty and the practice is rudimentary in the sense that before now, Nigerians spend so much going out there.

    “Our colleagues that have ventured into this high-end practice have worked in those centres abroad and they know what it takes to have these treatments and have decided to bring back the technology home.

    “So, the country has embraced it, but the laws are still scanty.

    “For us as NMA, we are always advocating that the relevant authorities and the legislative arm of government look into this direction because kidney problems require transplants and other problems that require transplants are on the increase.”

    “So, we can project that in the next few years, there will be a lot of organ harvesting.”

  • NMA cautions health workers against strikes

    NMA cautions health workers against strikes

    Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) President Uche Rowland Ojinmah has cautioned fellow doctors against embarking on frivolous strikes.

    He noted that to build a progressive health sector would require health professional exercising restraints instead of going on strike each time they have issues with the government.

    Addressing reporters yesterday after their national executive council (NEC) meeting in Owerri, the Imo State capital, Ojinmah said his leadership of the MNA was keen on building a progressive consensus for a better health sector.

    The union leader thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the recent upward review of the consolidated salaries of medical structure and for the appointing medical professionals into the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

    “We thank President Bola Tinubu for the huge confidence in the medical profession by populating the Federal Executive Council with medical professionals. We are certain these our ambassadors at the FEC will excel.

    “We congratulate our colleagues, especially the Minister of Health, Professor Ali Pate, and his Minister of State for Health.

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    “We call on other health professionals to sheathe their sword because the NMA under my leadership is keen on building a progressive consensus for a better health sector…

    “We thank the government of Nigeria for the recent upward review of our consolidated salaries medical structure. But we need to point out that the agreement that was implemented from June 1 was finalised on May 25, 2023, which preceded the fuel subsidy removal and attendant fuel subsidy escalation.

    “NEC has directed her national officers to demand from the government a new demand for the upward review of our allowances. While waiting for the new minimum wage and consequential adjustment, which we call on the government to implement seamlessly, we would not want to start arguing about that anymore.

    “NEC directs the NMA, Cross River State branch, to sustain the demand for the abduction of our colleague, Ekanem Philip-Ephraim, and we call on the Cross River State government to redouble effort towards securing the release of our colleague that has been in captivity for more than one month now.

    “We plead with the abductors to have mercy on her grandmother. We pray to God to bring her back safely in one piece.”

  • 2000 medical workers leaving Nigeria annually, says NMA

    AT least 2000 medical workers leave Nigeria annually in search of greener pastures overseas, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), said yesterday.

    Unfortunately, such workers relocate to developed countries, according to NMA President, Dr. Francis Adedayo Faduyile, who spoke at the opening of the Annual General Conference/Delegates meeting of the Association in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

    He that the worrisome trend informed the theme of the meeting which is “Skill repatriation in the health sector: Turning Nigeria’s brain drain to brain gain”.

    Dr. Faduyile said: “We believe that this ugly situation can be turned to an advantage hence the need to bring this to the front burner for discussion and proffer a way out to the country’s advantage.”

    The NMA boss also said that politicians in the country do not seem to be worried at the trend because they do not to have the necessary statistics and facts on the matter.

    He said: “Without intent at generating further controversy on the matters arising from the unfortunate remark by a senior cabinet member of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who incidentally, or coincidentally, doubles as a senior member of the medical profession, it is our firm believe that this gathering would generate further affirmatory statistics and facts that possibly would be enough in convincing those policy makers at critical MDAs of government at all levels.

    “Such MDAs, including the Federal Ministry of Labour and         Employment, who perhaps, are yet to come to reality with the scientifically unambiguous deleterious aftermath of the worsening disparity between the health workforce in general and the population they are serving vis-à-vis the alarming rate of the emigration of these health/medical professionals on health outcomes as reflected by the various morbidity and mortality data. Then, they can join us in the clarion call for action and be committed to instituting necessary actions.”

    Health Minister Prof Isaac Adewole also expressed worry at the increasing rate of brain drain in the country’s medical sector.

    Represented by the Chief Medical Director of Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Dr. Emeka Onwe, the minister said the Federal Government is working hard to end the mass exodus of medical workers from the country.

    He said: “I am not particularly happy with the latest trend of doctors leaving the country to other lands for greener pastures. We shall continue to ensure the welfare of the health workforce is improved. Our effort at centralising the internship posting of newly graduated doctors had received the support of FEC and would be rolled out within the year.

    Prof Adewole said the government has instituted a diaspora programme geared towards engaging doctors who have acquired latest skills and knowledge that will help transform the health sector.

    “The ministry will continue to improve on these activities to encourage the diasporans to make increased contribution to our healthcare delivery”, he said.

    The minister also expressed concern at the inability of several state governments’ inability to recruit and keep medical doctors including specialists in their secondary and tertiary care hospitals.

    Prof Adewole said: “In many cases most local governments’ health facilities do not have a doctor. These are unrelated to poor welfare and remuneration package at various levels amongst other factors.”

    Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi, who declared the conference open, promised to continue supporting the doctors and other health care practitioners in the state.

    He said his administration will commence the construction of a new Teaching Hospital in June for the State University’s medical school in Uburu.