Otunba Gbenga Daniel, senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, has called for medical professionals to be separated from the traditional civil service pay structure to address the increasing migration of Nigerian doctors due to poor remuneration.
Speaking at the 47th International Conference and General Meeting of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP) in Abeokuta on Thursday, Daniel emphasised that Nigerian doctors excel globally but remain undervalued at home.
“The best surgeons and doctors abroad are either Nigerians or Indians. When you visit hospitals overseas, you find a large number of Nigerians practising there. What I think should be done is to separate medical practitioners from the core services in terms of remuneration. Their pay should reflect their specialised skills and global demand,” he stated.
The former Ogun governor also advocated for systemic support for Nigerians battling terminal illnesses, revealing that a bill aimed at funding terminal diseases has reached the second reading stage at the National Assembly. Daniel proposed allocating a portion of commercial banks’ annual profits to this fund.
“Banks are declaring trillions in profit. A portion of these profits should be set aside as a health fund, so Nigerians facing terminal illnesses like cancer and kidney failure can access financial relief,” he said.
Former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke, who also spoke at the event, highlighted manpower shortages and poor remuneration as major challenges in the health sector, suggesting that teachers and health workers should be among the best-paid professionals in the country.
Minister of State for Health, Iziaq Salako, reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to expanding insurance coverage through the introduction of catastrophic health insurance for Nigerians suffering from terminal illnesses.
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.
