The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Kwara Chapter, has expressed concern that doctors in the state are among the least paid in the country.
The Chairman, Dr Suleiman Rotimi, stated this on Monday in Ilorin at a news conference organised as part of activities marking the 2026 Physicians’ Week.
The theme of the week is “Securing the Future of Medicine in Nigeria.”
Rotimi raised concerns over manpower shortages, poor welfare, excessive workloads and alleged unauthorised salary deductions affecting doctors in the state.
According to him, some general hospitals have only a few doctors, forcing them to work long hours and increasing the risk of burnout.
“The doctors are underpaid, overworked and over-deducted.
“Some doctors have between N30,000 and N50,000 deducted from their monthly salaries, despite unpaid allowances and poor remuneration,” he lamented.
The NMA chairman in Kwara appealed to the state government to address the issues urgently, stating that Nigeria’s doctor-to-patient ratio was about one doctor to more than 9,000 patients, with the situation worse in some parts of Kwara.
“The recommendation of the World Health Organisation is one doctor to 600 patients,” he said.
On the ongoing industrial dispute involving doctors in Kwara, Rotimi said the association had engaged the state government and other stakeholders but remained open to dialogue.
“When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. The patients are the ones suffering from this,” he said.
He also called for improved mental health support, confidential medical services, safer workplaces and protection against violence, adding that doctors should be allowed to seek help without stigma.
Similarly, he advocated the use of telemedicine, artificial intelligence and robotics by doctors, noting that these innovations would complement the work of medical professionals.
He noted that technology could help specialists reach underserved communities while maintaining clinical oversight.
The NMA chairman also urged the government to improve doctors’ pay, working conditions, training, research opportunities and infrastructure to reduce the migration of Nigerian doctors abroad.
He called for collective action to build a healthcare system where doctors worked in safe and dignified conditions and patients received quality care.
Some of the activities organised for Physicians’ Week include scientific conferences and NMA Charity Day.
