The Chairman of the Ikoyi-Obalende Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos, Fuad Atanda-Lawal, has given his approval for a 100% pay raise for medical doctors working at primary health centres within the council area.
The decision, announced on Thursday, is part of the council’s efforts to ensure that all residents have access to comprehensive, quality, and affordable healthcare.
News About Nigeria gathered that the salary increment is set to take effect from February 2024.
Chairman Atanda-Lawal said that there is a need to address the ongoing brain drain in Nigeria’s health sector, commonly referred to as ‘japa’, where healthcare professionals emigrate to seek better opportunities abroad.
He expressed confidence in the capabilities of Nigerian doctors, believing that with the right incentives, they can compete globally.
The announcement follows the commencement of the construction of a state-of-the-art primary health centre that will serve a larger population in the community.
Chairman Atanda-Lawal reiterated the council’s commitment to supporting the health care initiatives of President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Governor Babajide Sanwolu.
“Investing in our healthcare professionals is a step towards achieving the goal of delivering quality and affordable healthcare to all citizens,” stated the chairman.
The move comes in response to concerns raised by the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Health Service Commission, Dr. Eniayewun Ademuyiwa, about government-owned hospitals facing increased strain due to health workers’ migration abroad.
The phenomenon, known as ‘japa’, has led to a shortage of manpower in some federal facilities, resulting in more patients seeking admission to state hospitals in Lagos.
Last year, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors reported that over 1,400 of their members had relocated abroad in search of better opportunities and working conditions.
