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Over 6,000 applicants have already applied to compete for just 700 available positions for the Delta State government ongoing recruitment drive in the health sector.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojaeme has disclosed, lamenting that medical doctors among the applicants witnessed relatively low number.
Expressing concern over the development, he said the state government has approved a comprehensive welfare package for medical doctors, including a special tax-free allowance.
According to him, the idea is to enhance retention and attracting new professionals into the state’s health sector.
He disclosed that the newly introduced incentive, christened the “MORE Special Allowance for Doctors”, aligns with recent efforts by the federal government to address workforce migration.
He said Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, through the initiative as a strategic response to the global “Japa” phenomenon and its adverse impact on Nigeria’s healthcare workforce, aimed to strengthen healthcare delivery and stem the persistent tide of medical brain drain, through the decisive move.
“Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has approved ₦200,000 tax-free for all doctors in Delta State. As you know, the Japa syndrome is one of the major issues we are having globally. So, this approval will help to retain our workforce,” he stated.
“With this approval, I can tell you that we will overshoot the number of doctors we want in the state because, in terms of remuneration, compared to other states and even the Federal Government, we are on top with this current approval,” Dr Onojaeme added.
He explained that the financial implication of the policy was both immediate and significant.
“The implication is simple; a doctor on Level-13, which is the entry point of employment, earning a monthly salary of N370,000, will, as from the end of this month, be earning N570,000. With this, we can retain our doctors and attract new doctors to the state.”
Extending the gesture to early-career professionals, the Commissioner revealed that house officers have also been captured in the governor’s intervention.
“Not just that, for the doctors who are doing the one-year internship (house officers), the governor, in his good wisdom, also approved ₦100,000 tax-free for them.
This means that a House Officer who is earning over N250,000 will now be earning over N350,000 because the allowance, as approved by the governor, is tax-free,” he said.
He further conveyed optimism that the improved welfare package would significantly reduce industrial disputes within the sector.
“Instances of strike actions by medical doctors will not suffice in Delta state, as the allowance caters to all the demands of the doctors.
“The policy intervention marks a significant milestone in Delta State’s healthcare reform agenda, reinforcing the government’s commitment to building a resilient, motivated, and adequately compensated medical workforce,” he stated.
On the integrity of the recruitment process, the Commissioner issued a stern warning to prospective applicants against engaging in fraudulent practices.
He emphasized that the exercise remains strictly merit-based and devoid of any financial inducements, urging candidates to resist any attempt to compromise the process.
Leveraging the momentum of the World Health Day 2026, Dr Onojaeme also called on residents of the state to adopt proactive health-seeking behaviors.
He advised Deltans to prioritize routine medical check-ups, noting that early detection remains critical in preventing complications and improving overall health outcomes.
