The Nigerian Medical Association, Ogun State chapter, has appealed to the state government to provide tax rebate for doctors to attract and retain more medical professionals in the state.

Chairman of the association, Dr Luqman Ogunjimi, made the appeal on Tuesday in Abeokuta, at a news conference heralding its 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scientific Conference.

The theme of the AGM is: ‘‘Leveraging on Technology to Drive Medical Practice in the Era of Dwindling Medical Personnel.”

Mr Ogunjimi, who thanked the state government for approving many of its demands in the past, said a tax reduction had become necessary to reduce the ‘Japa’ syndrome and tackle brain drain.

According to him, the significant tax burden imposed by the newly approved CONMESS diminishes the impact of the salary increment.

He said this might force members to seek employment elsewhere, which would in turn affect the dwindling workforce of the state hospitals.

He stated, ‘I want to specifically thank the state government for paying doctors in the state what obtains in other parts of the country. We also want to thank the government for ensuring the payment of accoutrement allowance, as well as ensuring appropriate remuneration for our doctors that are members of NAGGMDP/ ARDOOUTH, MDCAN HMB/MOH and MDCAN OOUTH. We thank the government for ensuring the payment of clinical duty allowance for honorary consultants, and they have ensured this continues.’’.

Mr Ogunjimi said that the state government had ensured the payment of medical residency training funds for the year 2024 and 2025 for NMA members at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital.

He said, ‘‘Yes, they increased what they are giving our members, and it is at par with other people in the country, however, the tax is a bit on the higher side. We are calling on governments to look at this because the tax being paid by our doctors working with the state is out of place. We want to plead with the government to consider what has been done by some other states by giving tax rebates. This will make a lot of people pick the state as a choice of their place of work.’’

He further urged the state government to resolve the consequential adjustment on the new minimum wage and inappropriate entry levels into the state civil service among others.

According to him, the week-long activities of the AGM will feature church and mosque services, courtesy visits, scientific conferences and a dinner meeting.

He listed some of the speakers to include a past chairman of the association, Dr Oluwole Kukoyi, a foremost pharmacist and entrepreneur, Taofik Odukoya, among others.

(NAN)