NMA Lagos to FG: Boost doctor pay or risk losing more healthcare talent to ‘Japa Syndrome’
In a bid to stem the growing migration of Nigerian doctors to better-paying countries, the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Lagos Chapter, has called on the Federal Government to implement a policy enabling a regular review of doctor remuneration based on economic realities.
The call was made at the 2024 National Physician’s Week, an event aimed at honouring Nigerian physicians’ dedication and highlighting the systemic challenges they endure in their profession.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of NMA Lagos, Dr. Babajide Saheed, addressed the urgent need to retain healthcare professionals in Nigeria, citing poor remuneration as one of the most significant factors driving the “Japa Syndrome,” which refers to the mass emigration of professionals seeking better opportunities abroad.
Dr. Saheed noted: “Today, ‘Japa Syndrome’ is not a new phenomenon. Our medical and dental practitioners are leaving all sectors of Nigeria for countries that offer them fair compensation and a dignified working environment.
“While Nigerian governments have voiced concern over the brain drain in healthcare, we have yet to see tangible actions addressing the push factors driving doctors out of the country.”
Dr. Saheed explained the NMA’s push for “universal applicability” in doctor remuneration across Nigeria, whereby the same minimum wage structure, specifically the Consolidated Medical Salary Scale (CONMESS), would apply to all doctors, irrespective of location.
He added that Federal and State governments should adjust salaries according to the country’s rising cost of living and inflation, without waiting for doctors to resort to strikes.
He said: “Sadly, we have not achieved universal applicability in Nigeria, despite years of negotiations. This inconsistency has created an internal brain drain, with doctors leaving poorly paid state roles for federal employment or higher-paying states. This has left many states struggling to maintain adequate healthcare staffing.”
According to Dr. Saheed, Nigeria’s doctors face some of the lowest remuneration rates globally, which, combined with the country’s high cost of living and inflation, has eroded the purchasing power of medical salaries.
“Our doctors deserve pay that reflects their skills and sacrifices. An ongoing review of doctor remuneration, adjusted for economic conditions, is vital for retention in Nigeria’s healthcare sector,” he asserted.
