NMA WARNS OF DOCTOR SHORTAGE, ALLEGED SALARY DEDUCTIONS IN KWARA
By: Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kwara State chapter, has called on the state government to address the shortage of doctors, poor welfare and alleged unauthorised salary deductions affecting medical professionals.
The state NMA Chairman, Dr Sulaiman Rotimi, raised the concerns during activities marking the 2026 Physicians’ Week in Kwara State.
Rotimi said Nigeria’s doctor-to-patient ratio stood at about one doctor to more than 9,000 patients, adding that some general hospitals operated with only one or two doctors. He warned that the situation placed excessive pressure on medical personnel and increased the risk of burnout.
He also alleged that some doctors had between ₦30,000 and ₦50,000 deducted from their monthly salaries despite outstanding allowances and poor remuneration.
The NMA chairman urged the government to improve doctors’ welfare, provide mental health support, strengthen workplace safety and invest in training, research and hospital infrastructure to reduce the migration of medical professionals abroad.
On the ongoing industrial dispute, Rotimi said the association remained open to dialogue with the state government and other stakeholders.
He added that technologies such as telemedicine, artificial intelligence and robotics should support doctors rather than replace them, particularly in extending specialist care to underserved communities.