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The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Jigawa State has raised alarm over the increasing number of doctors leaving the state due to poor salaries and harsh working conditions. The association disclosed that more than 30 specialist doctors have resigned from government hospitals across the state in just four months, worsening the already fragile healthcare system.
The Chairman of NMA in Jigawa, Dr. Usman Haruna, made this known during a press briefing held in Dutse, the state capital. He said the mass exodus of experienced medical professionals is putting pressure on the remaining doctors and endangering the health of the people, especially those in rural areas who depend heavily on public hospitals.
Dr. Haruna explained that Jigawa State currently has only one doctor for every 30,000 residents, far below the standard set by the World Health Organization (WHO), which recommends one doctor to 600 people. According to him, the state is heading toward a healthcare crisis if urgent steps are not taken to address the problem.
“This is a crisis we can no longer ignore,” he said. “Our doctors are leaving for federal hospitals and neighbouring states like Kano and Kaduna because they offer better salaries, hazard allowances, and improved working conditions. We are losing our most qualified hands.”
The NMA chairman blamed the situation on the failure of the Jigawa State Government to implement an earlier approved salary review. He said the Governor, Mallam Umar Namadi, had in February 2025 directed the state minimum wage committee to meet with doctors and submit a cost analysis for aligning their salaries with the federal CONMESS structure.
CONMESS, which stands for Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, is the benchmark used at the federal level and in some better-paying states for compensating medical workers. It includes base salary, call duty, and hazard allowances.
Dr. Haruna stated that despite the governor’s directive, the committee failed to act on the assignment, which was supposed to be completed within two weeks. He described the delay as deliberate and counterproductive to the governor’s overall reforms in the health sector.
“This silence appears to be intentional and looks like a form of sabotage against the good efforts of His Excellency,” he added. “We appreciate the governor’s vision, but his directive needs to be followed through, or else we risk losing even more doctors in the coming months.”
While acknowledging Governor Namadi’s investments in healthcare, such as infrastructure upgrades, minimum wage improvements, and hospital renovations, the NMA boss said none of these initiatives can work without qualified health workers to manage and deliver care to the people.
He warned that if the state continues to lose doctors at this pace, access to healthcare services in Jigawa will become more difficult for average citizens. Already, many communities, especially in rural parts of the state, are experiencing delays in medical attention, overcrowded clinics, and stressed health workers.
“The situation is affecting patient care and morale among remaining staff. It’s not sustainable,” he added. “We urge the governor to personally intervene and ensure the salary adjustment is done without further delay.”
The association is also calling on parents, traditional leaders, civil society groups, and other stakeholders to join in urging the government to prioritise the welfare of health workers.
A few doctors who spoke off the record confirmed they had left for states offering them better packages and a work environment that respects their profession. Others said they were considering taking up offers abroad.
Meanwhile, residents in Dutse and other major towns in Jigawa have expressed worry about the situation. Some say it now takes hours or even days to see a doctor in public hospitals.
The NMA said it is still open to dialogue with the government and hopes the matter will be resolved quickly to avoid further damage to the health sector.
