The Jigawa State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) is deeply worried about the exodus of 300 medical doctors from the state due to poor remuneration.
Speaking on Monday at a press conference in Dutse, the state capital, Dr. Usman Haruna, the state chairman of the association, said the doctors had been leaving the service of the state at an alarming rate from February 2025 to date.
According to Dr. Haruna, “Jigawa State is losing its best-trained professionals to neighbouring states and federal institutions that offer standard and competitive remuneration based on the CONMESS salary table.
“This haemorrhage of talent threatens the very foundation of our state’s healthcare system”.
While blaming the trend on the inability of the salary review committee to submit its report five months after inauguration, the NMA chairman recalled that “Over five months ago, after our crucial engagement with Gov. Umar Namadi, in his magnanimity, he graciously approved and mandated the minimum wage implementation committee to, within two weeks, meet with us, resolve, and report to him on the fiscal requirements for implementing urgent salary adjustments for doctors to align with the federal government’s counterparts, including correction of entry point disparities, implementation of hazard, and rectification of call duty allowances”.
He however regretted that “To date, this committee has failed to report back to the governor, despite having allegedly completed the assignment a long time ago”.
Haruna expressed concern that that the delay in the submission of the committee’s report was fuelling exodus of doctors from the state health system, adding that the failure to submit the report presented a threat to undermine the governor’s achievements in the health sector.
While however commending Governor Namadi for his healthcare transformation programmes, Dr. Haruna called for the immediate submission of the committee’s report.