The Nigerian Medical Association of Nigeria (NMA), has appealed to governments and concerned authorities to pay Nigerian doctors international competitive remuneration to reduce the alarming rate of emigration of doctors.
Afekhide Ernest Omoti, a professor and medical expert who is the President of NMA, stated this in his speech at a press conference marking the beginning of the association’s 2026 physician week, held in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
Speaking to the themes of the week, ” Securing the Future of Medicine in Nigeria” and sub-theme ” Saving the Savers: Promoting Physicians’ Wellbeing and Preventing Burnout, Cardiovascular Disease and Premature deaths” argued that the future of medicine will be secured through deliberate action, courageous advocacy, strategic investments and collective responsibility.
Represented by Sulaiman Rotimi, Chairman of NMA in Kwara said: ” l call on chief executive of our hospitals to do everything in their power to improve the safe and working condition of doctors in their institutions.”
He explained that the japa syndrome continued because the practising doctors in the country are overworked and less paid, adding that the increasing incidents of threats, intimidation, assaults and other forms of violence against healthcare workers are unacceptable.
He called for adequate protection and a safe workplace for doctors to render their humanitarian services effectively and efficiently to attain a healthy nation.
“The safety of doctors is not negotiable and when doctors are safe, the patients are safer,” he said.
The NMA President noted that the association will continue to advocate for policies that make Nigeria a place where doctors can not only train, but also build fulfilling careers.
While mentioning other challenges, including inadequate funding, among other things, he urged authorities concerned to act proactively, because as life savers, they must equally be adequately protected and well taken care of in terms of investment and a conducive working environment.
He encouraged medical doctors in the country to remain committed to ensuring proper care to patients, stating that, “let us remain united in our determination to secure a better future for medicine in Nigeria. Let us build NMA that remain courageous, responsible and relentlessly committed to the Nigerian doctor and the Nigerian patients.”
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