The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has warned President Bola Tinubu on his administration recent agreement to send Nigerian doctors and healthcare workers to Saint Lucia.
Penpushing reports that it is recalled that Nigerian government on Wednesday announced a plan to deploy skilled professionals, including teachers, doctors, and agriculturists, to Saint Lucia and other Caribbean nations under a newly signed Technical Manpower Assistance (TMA) Agreement.
The statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the initiative is part of broader efforts to deepen South-South cooperation and strengthen ties with the African diaspora.
Penpushing further reports that the agreement, signed in Castries by the Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, Yusuf Yakub, will see Nigerian volunteers serve for two years in the host countries, with salaries and logistics covered by the Nigerian government, while Saint Lucia provides accommodation and local support.
The Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, noted that since May 2023, over 300 Nigerian professionals have been deployed across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific under the revitalised TAC scheme.
Penpushing also reports in reaction, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in a statement by the Secretary General, Dr Benjamin Egbo on the association X handle vehemently opposed the move, warning that it could worsen the country’s ongoing brain drain crisis and negatively impact healthcare delivery.
The statement emphasized that the association was deeply concerned by the announcement, coming at a time when Nigerian doctors are grappling with systemic neglect, poor salaries, and withheld allowances.
Penpushing reports that the Nigerian Doctors described the agreement as inexcusable, pointing out that it reflects the government’s disregard for the worsening welfare of their members and the profession.
“We consider this move a deeply troubling contradiction and an attempt to bolster Nigeria’s international image while failing to meet basic obligations owed to doctors at home,” the statement read.
Penpushing further reports that the association explained that while it supports international cooperation, noted that it is morally unjustifiable to export healthcare workers to foreign countries and pay them five times higher than they earned while serving in Nigeria.
The body highlighted that doctor working in Saint Lucia earns up to N131.7 million each year, adding that Nigerian doctors being sent to Saint Lucia will be paid N40.8 million, while those working in Nigeria earn a maximum of N11.9 million annually.
Penpushing also reports that it is recalled that the association had at a press conference recently called on the government to immediately withdraw a controversial circular released by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) on 27 June.
The association argued that the circular violates multiple collective bargaining agreements previously signed with the government and does not reflect fair or agreed-upon adjustments to salaries and allowances.
Penpushing reports that President of the association Dr Bala Audu, speaking during the press conference, insisted that the document is not only inadequate but also violates previous agreements reached between the government and the association.
The body pointed out that doctors still serving in the country are battling poor pay, withheld allowances, delays in receiving the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), and a lack of basic risk protection despite hazardous working conditions.
‘These challenges have overburdened the doctors left behind, leading to burnout, stress, chronic diseases, and even death, which invariably increases morbidity and mortality among Nigerians,” it noted.
Penpushing further reports that the association in same vein asked for the immediate payment of the 2025 MRTF, implementation of specialist and hazard allowances, and the full application of CONMESS across all federal and state institutions.
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) called for improved health insurance for all doctors, better hospital governance through the constitution of management boards, and a circular implementing the reviewed retirement age for medical and dental practitioners.
Penpushing also reports that the Doctors declared that these demands, must be met within 21 days or the government risks a major disruption to healthcare delivery in the country.
“We have exhibited so much goodwill and intend to continue the same as long as we get our appropriate and timely dues. We hereby expect that attention will be given to our demands within the next 21days to avert disruption in the health services rendered to the Nigerian People’, Audu said
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