Updated 8/1/2020
Introduction
Given the herculean tasks and responsibilities that rely on the shoulders of an average doctor in Nigeria, it’s not farfetched why they should have their earnings on a totally different salary scale and structure when compared to that of other professions of human endeavors.
Starting from getting a university degree, it’s a common trend for a student studying medicine and surgery or dentistry to spend more years than his or her contemporaries studying other courses in art, engineering, and business. This is probably the first reason they should earn more than others.
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Secondly, for most institutions, their college of medicine uses a totally different calendar than that of the other disciplines in the school. This is more like setting themselves apart from the trends of others. Distinguishing these medical students from their peers and making them stay in school to study those very big books is aimed at making them unbreakable. Those who cannot cope with these rigorous activities often get relocated to other disciplines or even withdrawn from the institution. This soul-breaking procedure adopted by the medical profession sets them apart from other professions.
Now, when they start working, generally they tend to earn more than an average businessman, an engineer or a lawyer. But the reason for this goes beyond the university curriculum and structure of the profession. They primarily earn more because they deal with lives – human lives. They involve in various procedures on a daily basis that decide whether a patient lives or dies. The degree of risk and importance associated with this profession is what basically makes them earn more than other professions on the average. In finance, the higher the risk, the higher the return.
Salary Structure of Doctors in Nigeria
In a survey carried out by MySalaryScale.com in 2019, salary data for different professions were gathered all across Nigeria. It was gathered that a medical doctor earns an average salary of #230,000 per month. This excludes other financial benefits and multiple jobs earnings. The survey also found out that the salary increases with the years of experience in the field. While an entry level doctor earns an average of #170,000, an average senior level medical doctor earns an average of #290,000. The salary also depends on the hospital, the case load, experience and location of the doctors.
However, apart from the basic salary, there are other financial benefits attached to working as a doctor in Nigeria. According to the Consolidated Medical Salary Scale (CONMESS), other financial benefits of doctors in Nigeria are as follows;
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Specialist Allowance
The specialist allowance applies only to medical/dental officers who are employed as consultants.
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Call Duty Allowance
Call duty allowance is payable to medical/dental officers in federal hospitals and clinics. It is to be earned only when an officer would have actually performed call duty in accordance with an existing call duty roster.
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Health Professional Non-Clinical Duty Allowance
This allowance is payable to medical/dental officers deployed to render health-related services in the federal ministry of health and other federal health institutions.
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Clinical Duty Allowance
This allowance is payable to honorary consultants, who are employed as academic staff in universities but render clinical services to teaching/specialist hospitals.
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Teaching Allowance
This allowance is payable to federal medical/dental officers who are engaged in the teaching of medical doctors or other health professionals in training and teaching/ specialist hospitals.
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Hazard Allowance
Hazard allowance is also paid across the board to all medical/ dental officers.
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Rural posting allowance
Federal medical/dental officers who are stationed in rural communities are also paid this allowance at the rates specified. The federal ministry of health and the national salaries incomes and wages commission jointly determines the designation of a health station as rural.
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Multiple Job Earnings of Doctors
Apart from all the benefits listed above for a doctor in Nigeria, those involved in multiple jobs also earn additional. Now, various professions offer the job holders the opportunity to work in more than one firm at a time or involve in two or more tasks simultaneously. The medical profession is one of these professions with the leverage of having multiple jobs holding. For example, most medical doctors who work in government hospitals may also own a private hospital, work as a doctor or a consultant in other private clinics.
The implication of this to doctors’ salary is that it gives them the opportunity to earn more than the average salary of a regular doctor. So, while as at the time of this study, the research shows #247,000 as doctors’ average salary, with other allowances, it still does not take into account the other earnings they get from working in other hospitals. The amount being earned here depends on the time put, the status of the doctor, and so many other factors. Doctors who have multiple job holdings may generally earn more salary than the average rate.
Housemanship Salary In Nigeria
The housemanship (internship period) is a compulsory one-year program after graduating from medical school during which newly qualified doctors, practice under supervision in designated hospitals in the country so that they can gain experience.
On average, housemanship interns earn around #120,000 to #200,000 depending on the hospital and location. Though those of them working in federal teaching hospitals earn more than those working in state hospitals.
See specific salaries of housemanship officers in different hospitals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the medical profession may be one of status, it also has lots of financial benefits attached to it as could be seen above. It is not just a noble profession based on name, degree, responsibility or uniform, it is also one of wealth.
Check out the available job positions for doctors in Nigeria.
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