Nigeria's Healthcare Crisis Deepens as 15,000 Doctors Exit Over Low Wages
The chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in Kano State, Abdurrahman Ali, has expressed concern over the loss of 15,000 medical doctors from Nigeria as of 2024, citing poor remuneration as a major cause. He made this statement during a media briefing to reflect on the challenges and progress facing healthcare professionals in the state.
The remarks came as part of activities marking this year’s Physician Week, themed "Ensuring Universal Applicability in Remuneration: A Panacea to Talent Retention in the Healthcare System." The theme highlights the pressing need for fair compensation and recognition of the value healthcare professionals bring to the system.
“Fair remuneration goes beyond salary figures,” Ali stated. “It is a recognition of our value, a motivator for excellence, and a safeguard against burnout. In healthcare, adequate compensation reflects the time, emotional energy, and personal commitment invested by professionals. When healthcare workers are treated with respect and fairly compensated, it enhances their dedication, strengthens their commitment to patient care, and reinforces the broader healthcare system.”
Ali also urged the Kano State government to honor the agreement it signed with the NMA concerning the revised hazard allowance for health workers.
“We call on the Kano State government to fulfill the terms of the agreement with the NMA for the implementation of the revised hazard allowance. This will help close the gap between doctors working at the state level and their federal counterparts and curb the alarming trend of brain drain.”
As part of the NMA Week activities, a medical outreach will be held in the Bichi Local Government Area, providing free consultations, medications, and surgical procedures, including dental and eye care, to the community.
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