By Olukayode Babalola
THE NIGERIAN Medical Association (NMA) has advocated fair and universal remuneration for Nigerian health workers to prevent migration to other countries for better pay and services.
Prof. Bala Audu, President of NMA, made the call at a news conference in Keffi LGA of Nasarawa state on Tuesday as part of activities to mark the association’s Annual Physicians Week.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the association’s Week has the theme “Ensuring Universal Applicability in Remuneration: A Panacea to Talent Retention in the Healthcare System.”
The Week is scheduled to run from October 27 through November 2.
Audu, represented by Mr Isa Ohyoma, NMA Chairman in Nasarawa state, noted that Nigeria’s most experienced and skilled healthcare professionals were leaving the country in droves for opportunities abroad.
He said the mass exodus, termed “brain drain” was not merely a symptom of an individual’s decision but a consequence of a system that had failed to offer compensation and career fulfillment.
“Fair remuneration is more than just a salary figure. It is the recognition of our value, a motivator for excellence and a safeguard against burnout.
“In any industry, but particularly in healthcare, adequate compensation reflects the time, emotional energy and personal commitment healthcare professionals invest.
“When a healthcare worker is remunerated fairly and equitably, they feel valued and respected.
“This respect in turn fuels their dedication, strengthens their commitment to patient care and fortifies the larger ecosystem,” he said.
Audu said that the disparity in the remuneration of health workers was a huge drive towards seeking better opportunities outside Nigeria.
According to him, it discourages healthcare professionals from entering or staying in the workforce, ultimately exacerbating the burden on those who remain.
“Pay structure varies widely depending on location, institution, and cadre thereby creating a fragmented remuneration system that is neither sustainable nor competitive on a global scale.
“Many doctors and indeed health workers find themselves overworked and underpaid and the inconsistency in salaries is evident not only across the country but within similar healthcare institutions,” he added.
Audu called on the government at all levels, to ensure uniform implementation of healthcare workers salary structure called the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), across all states and healthcare levels.
“Government must invest in our healthcare infrastructure, improve working conditions for healthcare workers and prioritise health in our national agenda.
“We have the talent, knowledge and the passion within our ranks to achieve great things. What we now need is the support and investment from our leaders,” he said.
Ohyoma on his part, pointed out that disparities in salaries of health workers have been the core reason for the flight of some health workers out of the country.
He applauded some states that have taken steps to align the salary structure of their health workers with that of the federal government.
“We went to school, spent the same amount of money buying textbooks, the economy is the same, the challenges are the same. So, it makes common sense that we should receive the same salaries.
“In fact, there are some states who have taken bold steps like Kebbi and recently Zamfara state.
“They are making the salary structure of all doctors working with the state government equal to that of those working with the federal government. So, it’s possible,” Ohyoma said. (NAN)
