- The Nigerian Medical Association plans to establish a minimum remuneration benchmark for doctors to address salary disparities and reduce migration
- NMA President Prof. Bala Audu emphasized the need for a consistent salary structure to retain healthcare professionals and tackle internal brain drain
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has announced plans to establish a minimum remuneration benchmark for doctors in Nigeria. This initiative aims to address disparities in salaries and reduce the mass migration of medical professionals, popularly known as the “japa” syndrome.
Speaking after the third National Health Summit and National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, NMA President Prof. Bala Audu disclosed the strategy.
The “Healthcare Delivery in Nigeria: Translating Policies to Impact” summit focused on improving healthcare policies and their practical application.
Prof. Audu expressed concern over the uneven remuneration of doctors working in state governments, private institutions, and various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
He emphasized that a salary benchmark would ensure stability and uniformity across the profession.
“This initiative will help Nigeria retain its critical healthcare workforce and tackle the ongoing ‘japa’ syndrome,” he stated. “The minimum remuneration benchmark will apply to all registered doctors licensed by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), regardless of whether they are employed in the public or private sectors.
This includes federal, state, and local government roles, primary health sectors, hospitals, universities, and security agencies that employ doctors.”
The NMA president also highlighted the issue of internal brain drain, where doctors migrate within the country due to better pay packages in federal institutions compared to local governments. “This benchmark aims to address these disparities and encourage doctors to serve where they are most needed,” he said.
The summit further emphasized the need for comprehensive emergency training for all doctors to enhance their response to medical emergencies. Prof. Audu stressed the importance of equipping medical workers with lifesaving skills to improve healthcare delivery.
The NMA pledged to collaborate with the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal and Investment Initiative (NHSRII) and Sector-Wide Approach (SWAP) to implement strategic reforms. It also resolved to strengthen partnerships with hospital leadership nationwide to enhance clinical governance and operational efficiency.
Additionally, the association announced plans to draft a five-year strategic plan and encouraged its members to participate in the process. The summit also recommended training health workers on pharmacovigilance and promoting using the Med Safety App for e-reporting.
To foster international collaboration, the NMA proposed partnerships with doctors in the diaspora through Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) facilitated by the Nigeria Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and other related organizations.
This effort aims to deepen collaboration and exchange between local and international medical professionals.
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