The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Kwara State Chapter, has raised concerns over the poor remuneration of doctors in the state, describing them as among the least paid in Nigeria.
The chairman of NMA in Kwara, Dr Suleiman Rotimi, disclosed this on Monday in Ilorin during a news conference organised as part of activities marking the 2026 Physicians’ Week.
The week, themed “Securing the Future of Medicine in Nigeria,” focused on challenges confronting medical professionals and the need to strengthen the country’s healthcare system.
Rotimi highlighted manpower shortages, poor welfare, excessive workloads and alleged unauthorised salary deductions as some of the major challenges affecting doctors in Kwara State.
According to him, some general hospitals operate with only a handful of doctors, forcing the available personnel to work extended hours and increasing the risk of burnout.
“The doctors are underpaid, overworked and over-deducted,” he said.
He alleged that some doctors have between ₦30,000 and ₦50,000 deducted from their monthly salaries despite outstanding allowances and poor remuneration.
The NMA chairman appealed to the Kwara State Government to urgently address the concerns, warning that inadequate staffing and poor working conditions could further undermine healthcare delivery.
He said Nigeria’s doctor-to-patient ratio was approximately one doctor to more than 9,000 patients, adding that the situation was worse in some parts of Kwara State.
Rotimi also cited a World Health Organisation recommendation of one doctor to 600 patients.
NMA Speaks on Industrial Dispute
Speaking on the ongoing industrial dispute involving doctors in Kwara State, Rotimi said the association had engaged the state government and other stakeholders but remained open to dialogue.
He expressed concern over the impact of the dispute on patients, who often bear the consequences of disruptions to healthcare services.
“When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. The patients are the ones suffering from this,” he said.
The NMA chairman called for improved mental health support, confidential medical services, safer workplaces and protection against violence, stressing that doctors should be able to seek help without fear of stigma.
NMA Advocates Technology in Healthcare
Rotimi also encouraged medical professionals to explore emerging technologies, including telemedicine, artificial intelligence and robotics, noting that these innovations could support healthcare delivery.
He explained that technology could enable specialists to provide services to underserved communities while maintaining appropriate clinical oversight.
According to him, adopting these innovations could help improve access to medical expertise, particularly in areas facing shortages of healthcare professionals.
Association Calls for Better Welfare
The NMA chairman urged the government to improve doctors’ remuneration, working conditions, training opportunities, research support and healthcare infrastructure.
He warned that addressing these challenges was essential to reducing the migration of Nigerian doctors abroad and retaining skilled medical personnel within the country’s healthcare system.
Rotimi called for collective action by the government, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders to build a system where doctors work in safe and dignified conditions while patients receive quality medical care.
