The National Executive Council of the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners has called for urgent reforms to stabilise Nigeria’s struggling healthcare system, warning that insecurity, poor welfare and burnout continue to undermine service delivery.
The association said a motivated medical workforce was essential to national development and urged the government to prioritise policies that would retain doctors and strengthen the sector.
The National President of the association, Anas Idris, stated this on Sunday in Abeokuta while presenting the communiqué issued at the end of the one-week Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Medical Association.
Idris acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s efforts in tackling insecurity but stressed that peace remained fundamental to an efficient health system.
He said the government must “intensify efforts to tackle insecurity across the country,” noting that restoring security was central to reversing medical brain drain and stabilising healthcare delivery.
The association demanded the immediate implementation of a revised salary scale and retention allowances for doctors to boost morale and curb migration.
It also called for the swift resolution of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, describing it as critical to restoring trust and industrial harmony.
Idris listed other demands, including comprehensive insurance coverage for all doctors to protect against increasing occupational hazards such as insecurity, workplace violence and exposure to infectious diseases.
“We insist that no doctor should work under conditions that leave their families vulnerable in the event of untimely deaths,” he said.
The association said it remained open to dialogue and collaboration with stakeholders to build a sustainable, equitable and resilient health system.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for the welfare and professional growth of government-employed doctors.
Nigeria’s health sector continues to face underfunding, a worsening shortage of medical personnel driven largely by poor remuneration, and inadequate infrastructure.
Despite ongoing reforms, the sector has struggled with a severe brain drain as many doctors migrate to the U.S. and Europe in search of better opportunities.
