The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos Chapter, has called on the Lagos State government to allocate 15% of its 2025 budget to healthcare, aligning with the Abuja Declaration of 2001. The association highlighted the challenges faced by the healthcare system, including overstretched resources, dilapidated infrastructure, and overworked medical practitioners.
During the NMA Lagos State Physicians’ Week 2024, themed “Ensuring Applicability on Remuneration: A Panacea to Talent Retention in the Healthcare Industry,” the Chairman of the Occasion, Dr. Adebayo Aderiye, stressed that the Civil Service Commission (CSC) should not dictate the salary structure of healthcare workers, as they are significantly underpaid.
Aderiye noted, “The Abuja Declaration emphasized that African countries should allocate no less than 15% of their national budget to health. Unfortunately, only Mauritius has met this target, while Nigeria’s health budget remains low, at 4.6% this year, compared to 4.7% last year. Until we increase this allocation, we will continue to face health-related challenges.”
He appealed to Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, the representative of the First Lady, to advocate for the 15% health budget in Lagos, pointing out that states like Abia, Bauchi, and Kaduna have successfully achieved this target.
Prof. Bala Audu, the National President of NMA, represented by Dr. Babajide Saheed, Chairman of NMA Lagos, expressed concern over the brain drain in the healthcare sector, where experienced professionals are leaving Nigeria for better opportunities abroad. He emphasized that fair remuneration is essential for retaining talent in the industry.
Audu stated, “This mass exodus is a symptom of a system that fails to offer fair compensation for career fulfillment. Adequate compensation reflects the time, emotional energy, and personal commitment healthcare professionals invest. When healthcare workers feel valued through fair remuneration, it enhances their dedication to patient care and strengthens the overall health ecosystem.”
