The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Jigawa State Branch, has raised alarm over the persistent exodus of medical doctors from the state, citing poor welfare conditions and the delay in implementing salary adjustments as key drivers of the trend.
This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the association’s 2025 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference held at the Manpower Development Institute, Dutse, from July 25 to 26.
With the theme “A Doctor and the Jigawa Health Sector: Reversing Brain Drain, Advancing Careers, and Building a Doctor-Friendly Health System”, the event brought together medical professionals, academics, policymakers, and other stakeholders in the health sector.
The NMA noted that more than 30 doctors have left Jigawa within the last five months alone due to poor welfare and lack of competitive remuneration, exacerbating the doctor-patient ratio in the state.
“The current doctor-patient ratio in Jigawa now stands at 1:30,000, a staggering contrast to the World Health Organisation (WHO’s) recommendation of 1:600,” the association stated.
The association criticized the prolonged delay by the Minimum Wage Implementation Committee in submitting its report to the state governor despite being given a two-week mandate.
“This deliberate bureaucratic delay smacks of sabotage. The committee has refused to honour a clear executive directive, thereby undermining Governor Umar Namadi’s efforts to retain doctors and revamp the health system,” the newly elected NMA chairman in the state, Usman Haruna, said.
He added, “We are calling on His Excellency to compel the committee to immediately submit its report and commence the full implementation of salary reviews and allowances”.
The association emphasized the urgent need for the review of doctors’ entry scale, hazard allowance, and call duty allowance to bring them in line with federal standards.
In response to the ongoing crisis, NMA Jigawa also commended the recent recruitment of new doctors by the state government, describing it as “a step in the right direction” while stressing that welfare concerns must be addressed to ensure long-term retention.
(Channels)
