Olu Samuel

The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Kogi State Chapter, has commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his transformative strides in the state’s health sector, even as it calls for the urgent implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) 2024 and payment of all outstanding entitlements owed to medical professionals.

This was contained in a statement jointly signed by the Kogi State Chairman of NMA, Dr. Aazee Jimoh, and the Secretary, Dr. Abdulazeez Abdulrahman on Monday following an Emergency Congress Meeting of the Association held on June 25, 2025.

The Association praised the Governor’s achievements, especially in the areas of health insurance, malaria prevention, drug procurement and distribution, health awareness campaigns, and extensive infrastructural development — particularly the ongoing renovation of Primary Health Care Centres across the state’s local government areas.

“We commend His Excellency, Governor Ododo, for his visionary leadership and significant investment in healthcare delivery across Kogi State,” the statement read. “These efforts are already making notable impacts in improving public health outcomes.”

The NMA also lauded the recent appointments of its members to key leadership positions in state health institutions, describing them as seasoned professionals capable of driving quality service delivery.

“We appreciate the Governor for recognizing the competence of our members. We assure him that they will represent the profession honorably and contribute immensely to advancing healthcare in Kogi State,” the Association noted.

However, the body did not shy away from raising critical concerns affecting the medical workforce in the state.

The NMA expressed deep worry over the escalating “Japa syndrome” the mass migration of healthcare professionals which it attributed to unresolved issues such as the non-payment of promotion arrears, delayed wage awards, and incomplete implementation of the CONMESS 2024 salary scale, which their counterparts in other states are already enjoying.

The NMA further highlighted the non-payment of Residency Training Funds for its members undergoing specialist training, the failure to domesticate the Medical Residency Training Act (MRTA), and the lack of incentives for retired doctors currently re-engaged on contract terms.

They urged the government to implement the approved circular that mandates such doctors be placed on their retirement grade levels as a token of appreciation for their continued service.

“The state must urgently address the widening disparity in salaries and entitlements between state and federal doctors,” the statement warned. “Failure to do so risks exacerbating the ongoing brain drain, as some local government areas already have no medical doctors.”

Despite the challenges, the NMA reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to delivering effective, efficient, and high-quality healthcare services to the people of Kogi State.

The Association appealed to Governor Ododo to swiftly address their concerns to foster sustainable industrial harmony in the health sector.

“We remain loyal and committed to supporting the government’s health vision, but urge immediate action on these critical issues to avoid further deterioration of healthcare delivery in the state,” the NMA stated.