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Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has unveiled a sweeping welfare package for medical doctors, introducing a substantial tax-free allowance designed to halt the exodus of health professionals and reposition the state’s healthcare system for improved service delivery.
The landmark intervention, announced in Asaba by the Commissioner for Health, Joseph Onojaeme, comes amid growing concerns over the global migration of skilled medical personnel—popularly referred to as the “Japa” phenomenon—which has continued to deplete Nigeria’s healthcare workforce.
Central to the new policy is the introduction of the “MORE Special Allowance for Doctors,” a tax-exempt incentive aimed at boosting morale, enhancing retention, and attracting fresh talent into Delta’s health sector. Under the revised structure, medical doctors on entry-level Grade Level 13 will see their monthly earnings rise significantly from about ₦370,000 to ₦570,000, following the addition of a ₦200,000 tax-free allowance.
The initiative also extends to house officers undergoing their mandatory one-year internship. They are to receive an additional ₦100,000 tax-free, effectively increasing their monthly income from over ₦250,000 to more than ₦350,000.
Health Commissioner Onojaeme described the policy as a strategic and timely response to workforce migration pressures, noting that the enhanced remuneration places Delta State at a competitive advantage relative to other states and even federal institutions.
“This approval will not only help us retain our doctors but also attract new ones. We are confident that Delta will soon exceed its required number of medical professionals,” he said.
The announcement comes as the state grapples with overwhelming demand for healthcare employment, with more than 6,000 applicants vying for just 700 available positions in the ongoing recruitment exercise. Despite the high turnout, authorities expressed concern over the comparatively low number of qualified medical doctors among applicants.
Beyond recruitment and retention, the state government is also banking on the improved welfare package to stabilize industrial relations within the health sector. Officials expressed optimism that the enhanced incentives would significantly reduce the incidence of strike actions by medical personnel.
Meanwhile, the government has reiterated its commitment to transparency in the recruitment process. Prospective applicants were warned against engaging in fraudulent practices or attempting to influence the exercise through financial inducements, as authorities insist the process remains strictly merit-driven.
Tying the reform to broader public health advocacy, the Commissioner urged residents to embrace preventive healthcare practices, including regular medical check-ups, emphasizing that early diagnosis remains key to effective treatment and improved health outcomes.
The new welfare scheme marks a pivotal step in Delta State’s healthcare reform agenda, signaling a determined effort by the Oborevwori administration to build a resilient, well-motivated, and adequately compensated medical workforce capable of meeting the state’s growing healthcare demands.
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