Ogun doctors urge tax reduction to help curb brain drain

Ogun doctors urge tax reduction to help curb brain drain

The Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Ogun State, Dr. Luqman Ogunjimi, on Tuesday urged the state government to reduce the tax deductions from the monthly salaries of doctors employed in government institutions.

Ogunjimi stressed that lowering the tax burden is one of the key steps the government can take to retain the limited number of doctors still serving in the state. He appealed to the authorities to respond to the doctors’ call for a downward review of the current tax deductions.

He commended the state government for approving the implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), aligning the pay of state-employed doctors with that of their federal counterparts, in line with what has been done in other states.

However, he noted that the current level of tax deductions remains a major concern for doctors in the state and is significantly affecting their morale.

Ogunjimi disclosed this at a press briefing held on Tuesday at the NMA secretariat, Abeokuta, the state capital to kick off the association’s 2025 Annual General Meeting, which runs from August 3 to 9 with the theme “Leveraging On Technology To Drive Medical Practice In The Era Of Dwindling Medical Personnel”.

He explained that “It took more than 16 months of agitation for the government to implement the request that the doctors in the state should be paid according to their counterparts working with federal government establishments and other states.

“But between this period, we have what we call internal brain drain, like some doctors moving to other states or picking up jobs with Federal Government health institutions because the pay is better.

“Now that the government has implemented this demand, we have equally found out that the tax we are paying is on the higher side.

“We are hereby calling on the government to grant us a tax rebate just like has been done by other states for healthcare workers

“This is one thing that could also encourage the healthcare workers to stay back and keep serving the people. We are not saying that we aren’t going to pay tax, but what is being taken from our salaries is simply too much, and this challenge is also affecting people who are willing to stay behind and work”.

The association also begged Gov Dapo Abiodun to look into the issue of consequential adjustments for the medical doctors in line with the implementation of the new minimum wage, as well as the need to address concerns of the workers over the contributory pension scheme which is making the future of every government workers in the state to look so bleak and uncertain.

Ogunjimi thanked the state government for payment of the medical residency training fund for the year 2024 and 2025 for doctors working with Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, payment of the clinical duty allowance for the honorary consultants, as well as payment of a court allowance, among others.

He said that the issue of remuneration for clinical lecturers in the university is still a challenge that should be addressed without further delay.

The NMA also called on the government to resolve the administrative aspect of ensuring that their members, who are supposed to be on CONMESS 3, which is the starting or entry point as agreed by NNA, are implemented.

Ogunjimi acknowledged that while the number may fall short of expectations, there are still around 1,000 doctors under both state and federal employment currently serving the people of Ogun State. He noted that these medical professionals remain dedicated to their duties, as long as they are not demoralised or frustrated by government actions.

The NMA, however, expressed concern over the recurring incidents of assault and intimidation targeting doctors in the state. The association warned that it would not hesitate to take decisive and appropriate measures against any individual or group found responsible.

The association also reaffirmed its strong commitment to improving the welfare and well-being of its members, with the aim of boosting their productivity and encouraging continued service to humanity.