The Ambrose Agho Empowerment and Welfare Initiative (AAEWI) has commended the Delta State Government for its recent increase in the monthly salaries of medical doctors in the state.
AAEWI, a Benin-based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), is committed to improving the lives of educationally disadvantaged individuals 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.
Delta State 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 Governor 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, the salary of entry-level doctors has now 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 organization described the gesture as a reflection of a government that is 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 Delta State, while urging the Federal Government to take concrete 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.
