The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has fiercely condemned the Federal Government’s decision to deploy Nigerian doctors to Saint Lucia, describing the move as a glaring act of hypocrisy amid worsening welfare conditions for medical professionals at home.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday and signed by the NMA Secretary General, Dr. Ben Egbo, the association said it was “deeply concerned and dismayed” by the decision, especially as it comes at a time when doctors in Nigeria are grappling with “systemic neglect, poor salaries, withheld allowances,” and other long-standing grievances.
The Federal Government had hinted that it would deploy some Nigerian doctors to Saint Lucia and pay ₦40.8 million per annum, while the same doctors earn only ₦11.9 million in Nigeria.
Reacting to the development, the association said it was baffled that the same government that has “chronically failed to honour agreements” and has “undermined the welfare and dignity” of its healthcare workers would now be championing a deal to export doctors to another country.
“Exporting doctors while undermining their welfare at home is inexcusable,” the NMA declared, adding that the initiative represents a “deeply troubling contradiction” and an “attempt to bolster Nigeria’s international image while failing to meet basic obligations at home.”
According to the NMA, Nigerian doctors are leaving the country in droves due to unbearable working conditions and inadequate compensation.
It cited poor remuneration, delays in the disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), non-implementation of welfare agreements, lack of hazard allowances, and selective implementation of the CONMESS salary structure as some of the unresolved issues fueling the crisis.
“These challenges have overburdened the doctors left behind, leading to burnout, stress, chronic diseases, and even death, which invariably increases morbidity and mortality among Nigerians,” the association stated.
In a dramatic comparison that underlines its frustration, the NMA revealed a stark pay disparity between Nigerian doctors at home and those being sent abroad.
According to the figures, the Nigerian government will pay each doctor deployed to Saint Lucia ₦40.8 million per annum, while the same doctors earn only ₦11.9 million per annum when serving in Nigeria. Interestingly, Saint Lucian authorities pay their highest-earning doctors ₦131.7 million per annum.
The NMA described the proposed overseas wage as five times higher than what the doctors earn at home, warning that such incentives would only further worsen the brain drain in the health sector.
“While the NMA supports regional cooperation and international engagement, it is morally unjustifiable to export healthcare workers to foreign countries and pay them five times higher than they earned while serving in Nigeria,” it said.
“This only encourages the brain drain with its attendant health consequences.”
The association noted that it had, only a day before the announcement, issued a 21-day ultimatum demanding urgent government action on unresolved welfare issues.
These include the withdrawal and replacement of the controversial NSIWC circular, implementation of collective bargaining agreements, resolution of pay distortions, and protection of doctors’ professional autonomy.
The NMA warned that unless the federal government takes concrete steps to address the longstanding grievances of Nigerian doctors, it risks further collapse of the country’s already fragile healthcare system.
“It is an insult to the sacrifices of doctors still serving in Nigeria,” the NMA concluded.
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