Council increases doctors’ pay to deter exodus (Japa)

The Chairman of Ikoyi-Obalende Local Council Development Area of Lagos, Fuad Atanda-Lawal, has approved a 100 per cent pay raise for the medical doctors attached to all the primary health centres in the council area.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Atanda-Lawal announced this on Thursday after extensive deliberations on the need to ensure that all residents in the council had access to comprehensive, quality and affordable health care.

He said the increment would take effect from February 2024. According to the council boss, the decision follows the need to address the brain drain currently experienced in the nation’s health sector, a trend commonly known as japa.

The chairman reiterated his belief that Nigeria was blessed with doctors who could compete with their peers globally if given the necessary incentives.

“This is coming on the heels of the commencement of the construction of a state-of-the-art primary health centre that will cater for a larger number of people in the community.

“I want to reiterate the council’s commitment to supporting the efforts of our esteemed President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and Governor Babajide Sanwolu in delivering quality and affordable health care to all citizens.

“We believe that by investing in our health care professionals, we are taking a step towards achieving this goal,” the chairman said.

He highlighted that the severe manpower shortage in federal facilities has led to a surge in patient admissions at state hospitals across Lagos.

Last year, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors reported that over 1,417 of its members relocated abroad in search of better opportunities.