The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Delta State Branch, has warned that Nigeria will continue to suffer the dire consequences of the “japa syndrome” unless government and society take urgent action to properly appreciate and protect key healthcare workers.
Speaking on Saturday, August 1, 2026, during the association’s Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference at the NMA Secretariat in Asaba, NMA Delta State Chairman, Dr. Israel Adaigho, stated that skilled medical practitioners are migrating en masse in search of better pay, improved working conditions, and assured security.
“The medical doctor is faced with increasing and disturbing challenges, even to the ridiculous point of becoming a loathed and misunderstood professional by other colleagues in the health sector workplace, both in the hospital and outside hospital in the ministry and the university communities,” Dr. Adaigho said.
“Even the patients themselves, who are the centres of the doctors’ sacrifices, are now part of the misrepresentation of the doctor and their actions.”
To curb the exodus of medical talent and stabilize the health sector, the NMA Delta State Branch outlined critical interventions like Tax Rebates. Whereby, granting special tax relief to essential healthcare personnel, similar to incentives offered to defense and security workers.
More critical intervention like Workplace Protection that ensures medical caregivers are valued, protected, and treated with respect across hospital and administrative environments and providing competitive remuneration and targeted retention incentives to preserve specialist skills within the country.
Despite highlighting systemic national challenges, Dr. Adaigho commended Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, for his commitment to bolstering healthcare infrastructure across the state.
He specifically highlighted the state government’s recent procurement and installation of modern diagnostic facilities, including CT and MRI scan machines, in major hospitals across Delta State’s three senatorial districts as a practical step toward improving health indices.
