According to a news report from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Kwara State branch, has raised an alarm that only 650 medical doctors are serving the over 3.6 million residents of Kwara.

Ola Ahmed, the NMA Chairman, made this statement in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, during a news conference ahead of the 2024 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Association. The event is themed “Relationship of Doctors with the Community: Improving the Community Perception of Doctors”.

Ahmed, concluding his two-year tenure as chairman, highlighted that despite numerous achievements in the healthcare sector, the acute shortage of medical professionals remains a significant concern.

He noted that a large number of health workers are continually leaving for better opportunities outside the state and the country for various reasons.

He said, “A lot of our colleagues have been lost to brain drain in the name of ‘Japa’. This has affected the delivery of services to the populace.

“Economic hardship, insecurity and poor medical infrastructures are some of the other reasons for the migration of doctors and other health workers from the state and the country at large.”

Ahmed, however, commended Gov. AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq of Kwara for the huge investment in healthcare delivery in the state.

He pointed out that AbdulRazaq also approved the consequential adjustment of members’ salaries as soon as it was approved while observing that the milestone would serve as motivation for its members to be committed and discouraged from leaving.

The Kwara NMA chairman outlined various achievements of the Association including contribution towards the establishment of Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH).

“We achieved the approval and payment of the adjusted 2019 Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), Skipping and Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF),” he added.

Ahmed further said that the welfare of its members was paramount, as the Secretariat’s solar power system was upgraded, with dedicated internet service and a furnished library was provided among others.

The NMA chairman explained that the activities of the 2024 Annual General Meetings include; medical outreach to the state secretariat of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Scientific Conference, sports and election.