The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a rising population and the Japa syndrome, have underlined the need for a robust healthcare sector in Nigeria.
Healthcare workers’ abilities are extremely important in battling illnesses, preventing infections, and defending against health dangers.
Long years of education are required for people working in healthcare. Most healthcare positions in Nigeria require professionals to spend 5-7 years in a professional school at a university, followed by an internship before entering the required National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Nonetheless, despite the significance of healthcare professionals in Nigeria, they are frequently underpaid, overworked, and forced to work in unpleasant and unfavorable circumstances.
Frequent Doctors’ strikes
Nigerian doctors in both the public and private sector are popular for embarking on strikes and the major reason is to demand a salary increase.
In July -August 2023, resident doctors through the National Association of Resident Doctors went on a 3-week strike demanding an increase in salaries from 200 percent to 550 percent because of the removal of fuel subsidies in the nation.
Last month, doctors in Kogi went on a 21-day strike. The inflation in salaries
The salaries of healthcare professionals are pathetic compared to the long hours put in.
The recent economic crisis of the country has further eroded the remuneration received leaving healthcare professionals with no choice but to seek greener pastures in other countries (Japa) or completely leave the profession.
The healthcare professionals that are left are stretched past capacity and it leaves more room for medical errors, accidents, poor patient care, and in some cases, death.
Solution in sight As a way to control disparities among salaries of healthcare professionals, official and unofficial groups in all healthcare professions come together to create a list of recommended average salaries for each profession.
The list is curated so that each professional can charge within the range and for healthcare settings to pay staff within the range.
Here are the recommended average salaries for different healthcare jobs in Nigeria.
Healthcare roles Recommended Average salaries.
Occupational Therapist N160,000-N320,000 monthly
Nutritionists and Dieticians N160,000-N320,000 monthly
Public/Community Health Officer (Bsc, HND), Senior CHEW (SCHEW-HND) N160,000-N320,000 monthly
Optometrist N160,000-N320,000 monthly
Physiotherapist N160,000-N320,000 monthly
Nursing Officer (RN/RM, BNSc/RN, Double qualified)
N160,000-N320,000 monthly
Medical Laboratory Scientist N160,000-N320,000 monthly
Radiographer N200,000-N350,000 monthly
Pharmacist N200,000-N350,000 monthly
Doctors/Physicians N250,000-N400,000 monthly
NEBOSH Safety Officers N1 million-N3 million monthly
