The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has raised alarm over the departure of 300 medical doctors from Jigawa State within a five-month period, citing poor remuneration as the primary reason.
Chairman of the association in the state, Dr Usman Haruna, disclosed this during a news conference on Monday in Dutse.
He stated that the doctors had been leaving the state’s health service in large numbers since February 2025.
“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,” he said.
“This haemorrhage of talent threatens the very foundation of our state’s healthcare system.”
Haruna blamed the situation on the delay by the salary review committee, which was inaugurated five months ago but has yet to submit its report.
“Over five months ago, after our crucial engagement with Gov. Umar Namadi, in his magnanimity, 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 explained.
“To date, this committee has failed to report back to the governor, despite having allegedly completed the assignment a long time ago.”
According to Haruna, the delay has further encouraged the mass exit of doctors from the state’s health sector.
He added that the committee’s failure to submit its report also posed a risk to the governor’s healthcare achievements.
While acknowledging Namadi’s efforts in transforming the healthcare system, Haruna appealed for the immediate release of the committee’s report.
(NAN)