Over 15,000 Medical Doctors So Far Out Of  Nigeria – NMA

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Failure on the part of Nigerian authorities at both State and Federal levels to value and respect Doctors accounts for part of the reason for the “Japa” syndrome plaguing the Health Sector.

This is even as over 15,000 Medical Doctors  have exited the country as at  the third quarter of 2024.

This much was revealed on Monday, October 28, 2024, by the Kano Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Dr Abdulraham Ali

At a Media briefing in Kano, Dr Ali majorly blamed the ugly development on the very poor remunerations for  Medical Doctors, at all levels in the country.

According to him, Doctors in the country are seriously discouraged by not just unfair salary packages, but also the complete absence of a conducive working environment.

Such unhealthy situation has inevitably engendered lack of professional fulfilment among not a few Doctors, leading to most of them preferring to seek greener pastures abroad he noted .

The  result, the NMA Chairman insisted, has been devastating to the sector, particularly in the last few years.

According to him, for the Country to effectively  stem the tide of exodus of Medical professionals, including  Doctors, there is the  need for  a fair remuneration package ,as well as attachment of value to the professionals within the sector.

The NMA Chairman who spoke on the theme of this year’s physician week, “Ensuring Universal Applicability in Remuneration : A Panacea To Talent Retention in the Healthcare System”, maintained that Governments at all levels and other stakeholders should take more seriously the issue of the welfare package of Doctors, if the Country should have any chance of retaining its best hands in the health sector .

“Fair remuneration is more than just a salary figure. A motivator for excellence and a safeguard against burnout in any industry, particularly in the healthcare system.

“Adequate compensation reflects the time, emotional energy and personal commitment healthcare professionals invest.

“When a healthcare worker is fairly and equitably respected, it in turn fuels their dedication, strengthens their commitment to patient care, and fortifies the larger health ecosystem”, he noted .

The NMA chairman ,warned that it will not be in the overall interest of the country if the authorities continue to gloat over the serious challenges posed to the health sector by the  exodus of health workers owing to poor conditions of  service.

He called on the Kano State Government to urgently respect the terms of agreement which it entered into  with NMA as it pertains to the issue of hazard allowance for health workers in the State.