The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Jigawa State has raised concerns over the departure of more than 30 specialist doctors from the state within the past four months, attributing the development to poor working conditions and uncompetitive salaries.
Speaking at a press conference in Dutse, NMA Chairman, Dr. Usman Haruna, warned that the mass exodus is putting the state’s already strained healthcare system at serious risk.
“We are facing a crisis. Jigawa now has just one doctor for every 30,000 people—far below the World Health Organization’s recommendation of one doctor per 600 people,” he said.
Dr. Haruna revealed that most of the doctors left for federal hospitals and neighbouring states offering better remuneration and improved working environments.
He blamed the situation on the failure to implement a salary review approved earlier this year by Governor Umar Namadi. In February, the governor had directed the state’s minimum wage committee to engage with doctors and submit a cost analysis for aligning their pay with the federal CONMESS structure, which includes hazard and call-duty allowances.
However, the committee has reportedly not acted on the directive, despite a two-week timeline set for the assignment.
“This silence appears deliberate and is undermining the governor’s efforts to reform the health sector,” Haruna said, describing the delay as “a form of sabotage” that threatens to reverse the administration’s gains.
While acknowledging Governor Namadi’s broader investments in healthcare and wage reforms, the NMA urged the government to take urgent steps to address doctors’ grievances and stem the ongoing brain drain.
Haruna warned that continued neglect could lead to a total collapse of access to quality healthcare for the people of Jigawa.
