The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Ondo State has raised fresh concerns about the worsening state of healthcare delivery.

The association attributed the decline to the mass migration of medical doctors, commonly referred to as the “Japa Syndrome.’’ 

According to the NMA, the ongoing exodus of doctors has severely strained the state’s healthcare system, especially as few remaining practitioners now shoulder overwhelming responsibilities.

In a statement issued in Akure on Monday, and dated April 15, the chairman of the NMA in Ondo, Olumuyiwa Alonge, lamented that many doctors had left the system without replacement, thereby increasing the workload on those still in service. 

“Because of the ‘Japa Syndrome’, too many doctors have left the system. Those of us remaining now do the work of five people. Doctors in the state service no longer have a life of their own,” the statement obtained by Peoples Gazette read. 

It noted that doctors in the state service now face extreme pressure, often working long hours without adequate rest, leaving them with little or no time for their families or professional development.

According to the statement, the situation has become so dire that in some general hospitals, a single doctor is left to cater to the healthcare needs of an entire facility.

The doctors further decried their poor working conditions, stating that many medical practitioners are compelled to work with obsolete equipment, and in some cases, improvise due to the absence of basic medical tools.

“They have no time for their families and no time for further professional growth as they are confined to providing services, sometimes permanently, at their workplace in situations where there is only one doctor in a whole general hospital.

“These doctors overwork. They are often made to use obsolete equipment to provide healthcare to the good people of Ondo State. In many instances, the equipment does not even exist, and these doctors would have to improvise to ensure healthcare is still provided,” it added. 

The association also criticised the remuneration structure for doctors in the state, describing it as outdated and unable to meet current economic realities.

It stressed that the combined effect of poor welfare, inadequate facilities, and manpower shortage has left many doctors “stressed, exhausted, demoralised, and overworked.”

“We work daily in environments that are dilapidated and do not befit our status as doctors, yet we are paid with an old salary structure that cannot cope with today’s cost of living. Our members are stressed, exhausted, demoralised, and overworked,” the statement added. 

The medical professionals called on the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to urgently address their concerns.

Their demands include the immediate implementation of consequential salary adjustments and payment of arrears, payment of accoutrement allowance, settlement of outstanding 2024 promotional allowances, and urgent recruitment of doctors and other health workers to ease the workload.

The association also gave the state government until April 28, 2026, to act, warning that failure to meet its demands could lead to an emergency congress, which could result in a withdrawal of services.

“We are giving the government until Tuesday, 28th April 2026 to act. If nothing is done, the NMA will call an emergency congress to decide our next lawful steps. And that may include a withdrawal of services,” the association said.