The Jigawa State Branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) is concerned about the state’s ongoing exodus of medical professionals, citing poor welfare conditions and the delay in implementing salary adjustments as major factors in the trend.
This was stated in a communiqué that was released on July 25 through July 26 at the conclusion of the association’s 2025 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference at the Manpower Development Institute in Dutse.
The event brought together academics, policymakers, academics, and other stakeholders in the health sector under the theme “A Doctor and the Jigawa Health Sector: Reversing Brain Drain, Advanceing Careers, and Building a Doctor-Friendly Health System.”
The state’s doctor-patient ratio has increased as a result of the NMA’s observation that more than 30 doctors have left Jigawa in the last five months alone due to poor welfare and low competition for pay.
The association claimed that Jigawa’s current doctor-patient ratio is 1:100, which is a remarkable improvement from the WHO’s recommendation of 1:100.
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The association criticized the minimum wage implementation committee’s protracted delay in submitting its report to the governor despite having been given a two-week mandate.
“This deliberate bureaucratic delay smells like sabotage,” the author writes. The newly elected NMA chairman in the state, Usman Haruna, claimed that the committee had refused to follow a clear executive directive, undermining Governor Umar Namadi’s efforts to retain doctors and modernize the health system.
He continued, “We are requesting that His Excellency immediately compels the committee to submit its report and begin the full implementation of salary reviews and allowances.”
The association emphasized the urgent need to review doctors’ entry scale, hazard allowance, and call duty allowance to bring them in line with federal standards.
NMA Jigawa praised the state government’s recent hiring of new doctors as a “step in the right direction,” stressing that welfare issues must be addressed to ensure long-term retention.
Panelists and guest speakers provided practical policy and structural recommendations, as well as the role of the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) in improving state-wide primary healthcare delivery.
The establishment of a doctor-friendly hospital initiative and hospital-based Continuous Professional Development (CPD) support, as suggested by the guest speaker during the scientific sessions, was a key resolution at the AGM.
In addition, Hussaini Abubakar was appointed financial secretary for the 2025–2026 term after the NMA conducted a bye-election to fill leadership vacancies.
The association thanked Governor Umar Namadi for continuing to invest in the health sector, particularly the Medical Village project and the proposed minimum wage changes.
Additionally, it praised the support of Jigawa State IMPACT Project’s founder, Muhammad Kainuwa, as well as the Commissioner for Health, Muhammad Kainuwa.
We are partners in the development of health, not just about agitation. The association’s Publicity Secretary, Shamsu Sa’idu, stated that his organization is unwavering in its support of policy reforms, advancement of primary healthcare, and maintaining a doctor-friendly work environment.
Source: Channels TV
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