Lagos Doctors Push for Better Welfare Amid Rising Health Worker Emigration
Kehinde Adeleye
Doctors in Lagos State are awaiting the resolution of outstanding issues concerning their allowances, welfare and working conditions, with the state government pledging continued engagement with the Medical Guild.
The commitment was announced on Tuesday at the guild’s centenary celebration and scientific conference in Lagos, themed “100 Years of Healthcare Delivery: Celebrating the Past, Transforming the Present, Shaping the Future.”
The state government acknowledged that some aspects of the implementation of the approved Professional Allowance Statement for doctors in the state service remained unresolved.
Representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Sam Egube, said the government was committed to addressing the outstanding concerns, noting that healthcare workers’ welfare, safety and professional development were essential to quality medical service delivery.
He recalled that the governor had approved the implementation of the Professional Allowance Statement during a meeting with the guild, led by its chairman, Oluwole Olusanya, on July 17.
“I acknowledge that outstanding areas and implementation concerns remain unfinished business. I will continue to engage the Guild towards their resolution,” the governor said.
The government stressed that quality healthcare depended not only on modern facilities but also on motivated medical professionals working in safe and conducive environments.
It listed the reconstruction of Massey Street Children’s Hospital, improvements to general hospitals and the expansion of emergency care facilities among its investments in healthcare infrastructure.
The state government also disclosed that its health insurance programme, Ilera Eko, had enrolled 1.5 million residents as of May 2026, as part of efforts to reduce the financial burden of accessing medical treatment.
It reaffirmed its commitment to expanding access to affordable healthcare through the enforcement of an executive order signed in July 2024, which makes health insurance mandatory for residents.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat commended doctors for their dedication despite demanding working conditions.
He acknowledged investments in healthcare infrastructure and workforce development but said more needed to be done to meet doctors’ legitimate expectations amid the continued emigration of health workers.
Hamzat, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Ibrahim Mustafa, pledged continued engagement with the guild to improve welfare, retain skilled personnel and strengthen healthcare delivery across the state.
