Chief Medical Directors from University Teaching Hospitals have called on the Federal Government to raise the salaries of healthcare workers and provide more conducive work environments to prevent the ongoing exodus of medical professionals to other countries.
The CMDs emphasized that improving the healthcare system requires a comprehensive strategy that focuses not only on the quality of services but also on increasing access to healthcare.
Last week, during the 2025 budget defense before the House of Representatives Committee on Health Institutions, the CMDs of University Teaching Hospitals and Federal Medical Centres expressed concern over the growing trend of doctors, nurses, and other skilled health workers leaving the country due to inadequate remuneration.
The CMD of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo and the CMD of University College Hospital, Ibadan, Prof. Jesse Abiodun, were among those who raised the alarm.
In an interview on Saturday, Prof. Adeyemo shared that while the government has been making strides to improve hospital infrastructure by investing in new buildings and renovating existing facilities, healthcare workers are still leaving in large numbers due to economic factors.
“I am aware that the Federal Government is making efforts, but they need to make it happen. People in every category are leaving, they drop letters every day. We have made a lot of advocacies to increase the number of our personnel but they are not even coming because of the money,” Adeyemo said.
He further explained that LUTH, in particular, is facing stiff competition from both the Lagos state government, which offers higher pay, and the growing number of private hospitals in Lagos.
He emphasized, “The government needs to increase salaries for people to stay, that is what we need to do in addition to other welfare packages.”
The CMD of Jos University Teaching Hospital, Plateau State, Dr. Pokup Bupwatda, agreed that salary increases were vital but stressed the importance of a supportive working environment.
“Satisfaction isn’t solely financial, but having the right equipment and the opportunity to use professional skills also play a crucial role,” Bupwatda said.
He highlighted that at JUTH, the hospital’s CT scan equipment is outdated, and while the government had allocated funds for a replacement, inflation had caused the cost to exceed the available budget.
He expressed optimism that improvements would be made under President Tinubu’s “Renewal Hope” agenda. “I believe with the Renewal Hope of Mr. President, if the economy improves, all those things will definitely improve. We’ll get all of those things. Our budgetary provisions have been improved. I can assure you. If more attention is given to the health sector, if we have the amount, the special intervention, it will go a long way to minimise this Japa syndrome,” Bupwatda said.
He also mentioned that efforts were underway to address staffing shortages through recruitment initiatives.
