NMA President Prof. Bala Audu urges consistent implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure across Nigeria to curb healthcare talent exodus.
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]s the National Physicians’ Week commences in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Professor Bala Audu, President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), has advocated for the consistent implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) across all 36 Nigerian states.
In remarks to journalists on Tuesday, Audu underscored that addressing the exodus of healthcare professionals requires systematic changes rather than temporary fixes, with a focus on fair and competitive remuneration.
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The theme of this year’s event, “Ensuring Universal Applicability in Remuneration: A Panacea to Talent Retention in the Healthcare System,” highlights the impact of salary disparities on the retention of medical talent.
Audu explained that the ongoing “brain drain”—the departure of skilled healthcare workers to foreign countries—is a direct consequence of Nigeria’s fragmented salary structure, which varies widely by location, institution, and medical role.
“This mass exodus, known as ‘brain drain,’ is not merely a symptom of individual decisions; it is a consequence of a system that fails to offer fair compensation and career fulfilment,” he stated.
Audu noted that many doctors and healthcare professionals are “overworked and underpaid,” with inconsistent salaries across the country and within comparable healthcare institutions.
He emphasised that this lack of uniformity is driving young talent away and creating an unsustainable workload for those who remain.
“These disparities discourage young and talented healthcare professionals from entering or staying in the workforce, ultimately exacerbating the burden on those who remain,” he said.
Calling on federal and state governments to take action, Audu urged all levels of government to implement a standardised salary system.
“We urge all levels of government to ensure the uniform implementation of our salary structure, the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), across all states and healthcare levels.”
Audu also called for the prompt settlement of salary arrears and additional investment in health infrastructure to improve working conditions for healthcare professionals.
He argued that fair remuneration is essential not only as a reward for medical practitioners but as a factor in preventing burnout and maintaining a competitive healthcare workforce.
“The government must invest in our health infrastructure, improve working conditions for health workers, and prioritise health in our national agenda,” he said, pointing out that competitive remuneration is a global standard for retaining healthcare talent.
