The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ogun State chapter, has appealed to the state government to grant tax relief to doctors working in government hospitals as a way to reduce the growing trend of brain drain in the health sector.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday in Abeokuta, the NMA Chairman, Dr. Luqman Ogunjimi, said the high taxes deducted from doctors’ salaries are discouraging and pushing many to seek better opportunities outside the country or in other states.
The press briefing was part of activities to mark the association’s Annual General Meeting, which runs from August 3rd to 9th, with the theme ‘Leveraging On Technology To Drive Medical Practice In The Era Of Dwindling Medical Personnel’.
Ogunjimi acknowledged the state government’s efforts in meeting doctors’ long-standing demand for salary parity with their colleagues in federal hospitals. However, he noted that the benefit is being eroded by excessive taxation.
“It took more than 16 months of agitation before the government paid us the same as our counterparts in federal hospitals. But now, the tax being deducted from our salaries is too high. We are not saying we won’t pay tax, but what is taken is simply too much,” Ogunjimi said.
He urged the government to follow the example of other states that have granted tax rebates to healthcare workers as a way to retain medical personnel and prevent further loss of professionals to other regions and countries.
The association also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting doctors’ welfare and improving the health sector in the state, despite the current challenges.