The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Cross River chapter, has urged the state government to recruit at least 200 doctors to address manpower shortages, reduce workloads and improve access to healthcare.
Pius Agweye, chairman of the association, made the call on Monday in Calabar while briefing journalists as part of activities marking the 2026 Physicians Week, themed “Securing the Future of Medicine in Nigeria”.
Agweye, who was represented by Ukam Edadi, the association’s secretary, said additional recruitment was necessary to prevent burnout among doctors and improve healthcare delivery in urban and rural communities.
He acknowledged the state government’s approval to recruit 40 doctors, including consultants, but said the number was insufficient given the state’s population and healthcare needs.
“Some general hospitals in this state have experienced prolonged periods without doctors, so we need additional recruitment, particularly in underserved communities,” he said.
Agweye urged the government to ensure that successful candidates in the approved recruitment exercise resumed duty promptly.
He also called for the speedy passage of the Residency Training Programme Bill, which he said was at the public hearing stage in the state House of Assembly.
The NMA chairman commended Governor Bassey Otu for approving the full implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for state-employed doctors, bringing their remuneration in line with that of their federal counterparts.
He also welcomed the approval to raise doctors’ retirement age from 60 to 65 years, saying the measure would help retain medical professionals in the state.
Beyond recruitment and remuneration, Agweye urged the government to establish a state-owned specialist hospital and introduce Medicine and Surgery, Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, Physiotherapy and Pharmacy programmes at the state university.
He said the proposed programmes would help develop a sustainable pool of healthcare professionals to support specialist services and strengthen the state’s medical workforce.
Agweye further called for the constitution of a Hospital Management Board to accelerate renovations in secondary healthcare facilities and improve their operational efficiency.
On medical quackery, the association said the Anti-Quackery Law, signed by the governor in July 2026, provided a legal framework for prosecuting offenders.
However, Agweye said the association was engaging the state government to secure logistics and funding for the anti-quackery task force to enable it to carry out its duties effectively.
