Hussaini Kafi in Kano
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has raised concern over the mass exodus of 30 medical doctors from Jigawa State between February 2025 and July, blaming the trend on poor remuneration and stalled salary reforms.
Chairman of the NMA in Jigawa, Dr Usman Haruna, disclosed this during a press conference in Dutse on Monday, warning that the state was losing some of its best-trained professionals to neighbouring states and federal institutions offering more competitive welfare packages.
“Jigawa State is losing its best trained professionals to neighbouring states and federal institutions that offer standard and competitive remuneration based on the CONMESS salary table,” he said.
“This hemorrhage of talent threatens the very foundation of our state’s healthcare system.”
Haruna attributed the brain drain to the failure of the salary review committee—inaugurated over five months ago—to submit its report, despite earlier assurances and directives from Governor Umar Namadi.
“After our engagement with Governor Namadi, he graciously mandated the minimum wage implementation committee to meet with us and report back within two weeks on the financial implications of salary adjustments for doctors, including correcting entry point disparities and implementing hazard and call duty allowances,” Haruna said.
“To date, this committee has failed to report back to the governor, despite allegedly completing the assignment long ago.”
The NMA chairman warned that the ongoing delays were undermining the governor’s achievements in the health sector and fuelling growing frustration among medical professionals in the state.
