…Calls for Implementation of Doctor’s salary, retirement age review
The National President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Prof. Bala Audu, has lauded the Ogun State government on it various programmes and policies aimed at providing healthcare delivery to it citizens, just as he also calls for full implementation of the ongoing review of Doctor’s salaries and retirement age by the National Council on Health, with a view to reducing the dwindling number of medical personnel in hospitals as a result of ‘Japa’ syndrome.
Prof. Audu and his team, who were in Abeokuta, the Capital of Ogun State for the National Executive Council (NEC) Meeting of the Association, paid a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako Oyedele in her office in AbeokutaHe noted that the rate at which medical personnel were leaving the country was on the high side and becoming worrisome, hence, many States that had advertised for Doctors and medical personnel’s recruitment were unable to get people to apply because of migration to a supposed greener pasture. He therefore advocated for the review of Doctors and Medical personnel salaries and retirement age, particularly those working in hospitals, offering clinical services.
“We went for medical outreach in Ala Idowa area of Ijebu and we are very impressed at the Primary Health centre in the community and the tremendous turn out by members of the community. We are happy that Ogun State government is at the forefront of ensuring that Doctors and other healthcare workers are well taken care off including their welfare. We also appreciate the hospitality we had received and the relationship between the State NMA and the Government of the State, particularly, the Ministry of Health, led by the Commissioner” he said
Prof. Audu also commended the State government on the establishment of the 250 bed hospital, saying, it would no doubt help to address major health challenges, not only for citizens of the State but for the Country at large, while he also use the opportunity to acknowledge the support of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and people of the State towards a successful NMA NEC meeting in Abeokuta.
Prof Audu, however promised that NMA would continue to deliver high quality and internationally competitive healthcare to the citizens of the Country despite shortage of Medical personnel.
In her response, the Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako Oyedele, welcome the team to the State and thanked them for choosing Abeokuta for this year’s NEC meeting.
She reiterated the Prince Dapo Abiodun led government commitment towards prioritising medical personnel welfare and delivering quality healthcare to it citizens.
“Here in Ogun State, we proud ourselves on the improvement we have made in the 6 years we have been in office. Just recently, His Excellency presented year 2026 appropriation bill to the House of Assembly and he has voted 210 billion naira for the health sector. This will improve healthcare facilities and welfare of Personnel, their training and every other things that needed to be put in place to make the State health sector attractive for health personnel,” she said.
She added that the State government had placed a lot of emphasis on it Primary Healthcare system since the present administration assumed office, with the upgrading of 142 Primary Healthcare centres and equipping them in order to effectively provide services to the citizens across the State.
She expressed the Government’s readiness to continue to work with the NMA, while also calling on NMA for a better working relationship to help build more confidence in the Health Insurance scheme initiated by Government for both the formal and the informal sectors of the State as well as help on it advocacy campaign.
The Deputy Governor commended NMA for the moves to review Doctors and Medical personnel retirement age, saying many of them after retirement were still very active in the private sectors.
On the 250 bed hospital, she said, though, it was inherited from the past administration but the present government had equipped it with world class facilities, with a view to reducing medical tourism out the Country, while it would also serve as a centre of medical excellence.
