From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kwara Chapter, has voiced urgent concerns regarding the financial inequalities experienced by healthcare workers across Nigeria, highlighting alarming disparities even within the same institutions.
During a news conference held in Ilorin on Monday, Prof. Abdulrahman Afolabi, Chairman of NMA-Kwara, underscored these issues as part of the 2024 Physician’s Week activities, themed “Ensuring Universal Applicability in Remuneration: A Panacea to Talent Retention in the Healthcare System.”
The sub-theme of the week centers on “Mitigating the Impact of Infectious Diseases: Addressing the Monkeypox Outbreak and Beyond.”
Prof. Afolabi, pointed out that the remuneration structures for healthcare workers vary widely based on location, institution, and job category, leading to a fragmented and unsustainable payment system.
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“Inconsistency in salaries is evident not only across the country but even within similar healthcare or academic institutions.
“These disparities, most especially in academia, discourage young and talented healthcare professionals from entering or staying in the workforce, ultimately exacerbating the burden on those who remain,” he stated.
He called on all levels of government to adopt a uniform salary structure, particularly the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), to help retain skilled healthcare workers in the country.
Regarding the ongoing Monkeypox outbreak, Prof. Afolabi, noted that the African Union has declared it a public health emergency, with Nigeria currently reporting about 42 cases across 16 states.
He explained that Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease transmitted from animals to humans and is characterized by symptoms similar to Smallpox.
The Physician’s Week will focus on crucial topics related to Monkeypox, including its types, modes of transmission, symptoms, necessary investigations, and monitoring strategies.
