By Lilian U. Okoro
The Ambrose Agho Empowerment and Welfare Initiative (AAEWI) has commended the Delta Government for its recent increase in the monthly salaries of medical doctors in the state.
AAEWI, a Benin-based NGO, is committed to improving the lives of educationally disadvantaged individuals in the society through advocacy, training, capacity building, and scholarships.
The organisation’s commendation was contained in a statement issued by its Director of Information and Communication, Mr Kevin Okunzuwa, on Sunday in Lagos.
The Delta Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojaeme, announced the salary increase on March 7 during a media briefing in Asaba, the state capital.
Onojaeme disclosed that, the state government, led by Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori, approved a N200,000 increase in doctors’ monthly salaries.
The state also introduced a N100,000 tax-free allowance for house officers to improve welfare and retain medical staff.
According to the commissioner, with the development, the salary of entry-level doctors has been raised to N570,000 per month from N370,000, while house officers will now earn over N350,000, up from more than N250,000.
The organisation described the gesture as a reflection of a government that was concerned about and committed to improving the lives and healthcare of its citizens.
“We commend this development; it is one clear way to demonstrate that the government is genuinely concerned about the well-being of its citizens.
“A healthy society promotes economic growth and development.
“This move by the Delta Government is a step in the right direction to address Nigeria’s shortage of medical personnel, largely driven by migration in search of better working conditions and pay abroad,” the statement said.
The NGO also called on other state governments to emulate the Delta Government, while urging the Federal Government to take steps to reduce medical tourism in the country’s health sector.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors recently reported that 18,949 doctors left the country between 2005 and 2024, with 2024 recording the highest number of departures at 3,974.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, also recently stated that Nigeria had lost billions of naira due to the migration of doctors.