Ogun NMA Seeks Tax Rebate To Curb Brain Drain
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ogun State chapter, has appealed to the state government to grant them a rebate on the tax deducted from the monthly emoluments of the doctors working with government establishments in the state.
The Chairman of the association, Dr. Luqman Ogunjimi, made the appeal on Tuesday in Abeokuta, during its 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM), and Scientific Conference, which runs from August 3 through 9.
The AGM was themed “Leveraging on Technology to Drive Medical Practice in the Era of Dwindling Medical Personnel.”
Ugunjimi, while thanking the government for approving most of their demands in the past, stated that tax reduction is necessary to reduce ‘Japa’ syndrome and brain drain.
According to him, the tax being deducted is a source of worry to doctors working with the state government.
He further explained that it took more than 16 months of agitation for the government to implement a request to pay doctors according to their counterparts working with federal government establishments and other states.
He added that during that period, the doctors were going through internal brain drain, as some doctors were moving to other states or picking up jobs with Federal Government health institutions because the pay is better.
The NMA Chairman stated, however, that as the government has implemented this demand, the doctors have equally found out that the tax they 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 appealed.
It also pleaded with the state government to resolve 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 uncertain.
Ogunjimi further appreciated 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, however, noted that the issue of remuneration for clinical lecturers in the university is still a challenge that should be addressed without further delay.
The association also called for the resolution of 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.
The Chairman added that there are still up to 1000 doctors in both the employment of the state and federal government who are serving the residents of the state, and are committed to serving the people, provided they are not frustrated by the government.
The association further reiterated its unwavering commitment to enhancing the well-being and welfare of its members to enhance productivity and further encourage them to keep serving humanity.
Ogun NMA Seeks Tax Rebate To Curb Brain Drain is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
