By Our Reporter
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Edo State Branch, has issued a strict two-week ultimatum to the Edo State Government to resolve severe salary delays affecting newly recruited medical doctors, warning that unpaid remuneration undermines state health services.
Delivering his inaugural address at a world press conference on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at Doctors’ House in Benin City, newly sworn-in Edo NMA Chairman, Dr Andrew Oseghale Eigbedion, disclosed that temporary House Officers employed by the state seven months ago have received no salary. Additionally, newly recruited permanent Medical Officers remain unpaid five months into service.
While commending Governor Monday Okpebholo for implementing the Revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and approving overdue promotions for Edo Hospital Management Agency staff stagnated for eight years, Dr Eigbedion labelled the non-payment of contract and permanent doctors “unacceptable and ugly.”
“We hereby respectfully urge our dear Governor to call all those in charge to order and ensure that our affected members get their over-delayed salaries within the next 2 weeks,” Dr Eigbedion stated.
He stressed that unresolved welfare issues worsen the “JAPA syndrome” exodus. With Nigeria’s doctor-to-population ratio deteriorating to between 1:5,000 and 1:10,000 against the World Health Organisation benchmark of 1:600, Eigbedion emphasised that prompt salary payments, completion of Ezoti Lane House Officers’ Quarters, and continuous professional development remain imperative to retain medical personnel in Edo State.