NMA Proffers Solutions to Japa Syndrome, Advocates Minimum Remuneration Benchmark for Medical Doctors

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has called for a minimum remuneration benchmark for medical doctors to curb the mass migration of health professionals seeking better conditions abroad.

Speaking yesterday after the 3rd National Health Summit (NHS) and the group’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, NMA President, Prof. Bala Audu, emphasised the urgent need for standardised pay, improved welfare packages, workplace security, and health insurance to retain doctors and improve health outcomes.

Highlighting disparities in doctors’ pay across states and institutions, the NMA urged the government to ensure fair remuneration while raising concerns about the lack of motivation and mentorship for younger professionals, advocating for an appropriate reward system to sustain the workforce.

He said, “It is a strategy that will help Nigeria retain its critical health care workforce and prevent the ongoing ‘japa’ syndrome.

“What it seeks to do is to ensure that every registered doctor who is licensed by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has a minimum remuneration benchmark that you cannot go below, whether the individual is employed in the public sector or in the private sector.

 “And even in the public sector, whether the individual is employed by federal, state or local government, and even within those sectors, whether the individual is employed in a primary health sector, hospitals or in other departments and agencies that require the services of a doctor, such as university lecturers, and others such as customs and other security agencies who employ doctors.

 “Everyone must comply with that minimum benchmark. It will produce stability, so this is the essence.

“This initiative is also aiming to tackle internal brain drain, where doctors don’t want to serve in local governments, because the pay package is not as good as in state governments, or where some doctors leave state government hospitals to go and work in federal hospitals when they are actually needed more in the state hospitals.”

Additionally, the NMA chief also stated that the Summit underscored the urgent need for an integrated clinical governance mechanism across all health facilities to improve accountability and outcomes.

Addressing policy implementation, the summit noted the partial and non-enforcement of provisions in the National Health Act (NHA), Audu emphasizing that “Specifically, it advocated for issuing certificates of standards to hospitals as a means to enhance public confidence in healthcare services.

“By aligning its resolutions with the Federal Ministry of Health’s agenda, the NMA aims to achieve universal health coverage and improve population health indices through strategic collaborations and innovative policies”.

He also highlighted the expansion of training with a recommendation for comprehensive emergency and lifesaving training for all doctors to improve response to medical crises.

Furthermore, he said the Summit appraised the National Health Sector Renewal and Investment Initiative (NHSRII) using the Sector Wide Approach (SWAP) while commending the initiative as a significant step toward ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare for all Nigerians.

“The NHS appraised the SWAP and noted that it was a significant step in the right direction in ensuring that every Nigerian has access to good and quality healthcare.

“The NHS noted the presence of improved welfare packages for Nigeria doctors and other health workers, provision of health insurance packages, and improved security at the workplace were key drivers to achieving any progress in the health sector that can accelerate sustained development,” he said.

According to Audu, the summit resolved to engage stakeholders by partnering with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) to advocate for regular State Council on Health meetings and collaborating with legislative bodies to improve healthcare financing and oversight.

In addition, he said the Summit resolved to strengthen partnerships by collaborating with hospital leadership nationwide to enhance clinical governance and work closely with state branches to improve doctors’ welfare, security, and insurance coverage.

It emphasised strategic advocacy by engaging the MDCN and other regulatory bodies to address workforce challenges and retention.

According to Audu, the summit also resolved to strengthen primary healthcare by advocating for the appointment of medical officers of health in every local government area to improve grassroots healthcare delivery.