The National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP) has raised the alarm that Nigeria’s public health system is edging dangerously close to collapse unless governments at all levels immediately address worsening welfare conditions for doctors.
Rising from its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting and scientific conference held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the association said the prolonged delay in concluding the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the Federal Government has further dampened morale among government-employed doctors.
NAGGMDP lamented that the mass exodus of medical personnel — popularly known as the Japa Syndrome — has become a threat to national health security, leaving those who remain in the system overwhelmed, overstretched, and exposed to increasing occupational hazards.
States Implementing CONMESS Commended
The association commended states such as Ogun, Akwa Ibom, Kogi, Delta and Kano for implementing the reviewed CONMESS salary structure, describing the action as a vital step in retaining medical professionals in the public sector.
It urged other states yet to adopt the salary scale to do so without delay, insisting that improved remuneration for doctors is not an expense but “an investment in the survival of the healthcare system.”
Security Still a Major Obstacle
Addressing journalists at the NMA Secretariat in Abeokuta shortly after the AGM, NAGGMDP National President, Dr. Anas Alhaji Idris, acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts in restoring security nationwide but stressed that much more is needed to stabilise the health sector.
He warned that persistent insecurity continues to fuel brain drain and undermines the confidence of medical professionals within and outside the country.
“A healthy nation is a wealthy nation,” Idris said, emphasising that improved security remains central to reversing medical migration and safeguarding health institutions.
Doctors Demand Insurance, Better Working Conditions
The association listed its key demands, including: Immediate implementation of a revised salary scale and retention allowances to curb migration and boost morale;swift resolution of the CBA, which it described as essential to restoring trust in the government ; comprehensive life insurance coverage for all doctors, especially in the face of rising workplace violence, exposure to infectious diseases, and insecurity.
“We insist that no doctor should work under conditions that leave their families vulnerable in the event of an untimely death,” Idris said.
He added that the government must prioritise the safety and welfare of health workers if it hopes to rebuild a functional and resilient healthcare system.
According to Idris, the NEC reviewed the prevailing challenges besetting the sector and unanimously resolved that tackling insecurity must be a national priority.
“The restoration of security remains central to reversing the medical brain drain, stabilising healthcare delivery, and enabling doctors to work in a secure nation,” he said.
The association reaffirmed its readiness to partner with federal and state governments, as well as other stakeholders, to build a sustainable and equitable health system for Nigerians.
Present at the meeting were key national officers of the association, including Dr. Aina Oluwafemi (Chief Protocol), Dr. Ezekiel Ibrahim Ladan (Secretary General), Dr. Abiodun Ajayi (Vice President 1) and Dr. Festus Adetonwa, Ogun State Chairman of the association, and Chairman Local Organising Committee for the conference .
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