Few Medical Doctors Apply For Delta’s 700 Health Sector Jobs

The Delta State Government’s ongoing recruitment drive in the health sector has seen relatively few medical doctors among the applicants.

Over 6,000 applicants have already applied to compete for just 700 available positions.

Expressing concern over the development, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojaeme, disclosed that to enhance retention and attract new professionals into the state’s health sector, the state government has approved a comprehensive welfare package for medical doctors, including a special tax-free allowance.

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, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, through the initiative, aimed to strengthen healthcare delivery and stem the persistent tide of medical brain drain as a strategic response to the global “Japa” phenomenon and its adverse impact on Nigeria’s healthcare workforce.

“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 implications of the policy were 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 also expressed optimism that the improved welfare package would significantly reduce industrial disputes in 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 emphasised 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 World Health Day 2026, Dr Onojaeme also called on residents of the state to adopt proactive health-seeking behaviours.

He advised Deltans to prioritise routine medical check-ups, noting that early detection remains critical in preventing complications and improving overall health outcomes.