EXODUS OF NIGERIAN DOCTORS: THREAT TO THE NATION'S HEALTH & WEALTH

EXODUS OF NIGERIAN DOCTORS: DILEMMA TO THE AVERAGE NIGERIAN

Nigeria is a country in the West of Africa continent with a fast growing population of over Two Hundred Million (200,000,000). From a recent news release by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the ratio of doctor to patients was put at an alarming 1:10,000. This is scary as the World Health Organization (WHO) puts at a standard the ratio of doctor to patients to be 1:600. The wide disparity is worrisome as one is faced with concern for the quality of care rendered to the patients.
I have had the privilege of visiting several hospitals within Kwara State - North Central of Nigeria and the request for Doctors is troubling. A state Government had put out an advertisement to employ forty (40) doctors and ended up employing ONLY six (6) doctors based on low turn out. A particular and popular private hospital told us they are willing to employ doctors even without interview. The rate of doctors going for residency training has drastically reduced and so also, those furthering careers in clinical practice in Nigeria.
The Government and Private Hospitals are equally affected by the scarcity of medical doctors. I will attempt to discuss a few causes of these mass emigration and consequent scarcity of doctors in Nigeria.

1. Poor remuneration: Medical Doctors in Nigeria have grossly been underpaid when considering the work done to the remuneration. It is depressing to work long and busy hours and yet, get paid peanuts. In Nigeria, the average pay for a Medical Doctor is Two Hundred Thousand to Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (about $260 - $460) per month in a country where the inflation rate keeps spiking up with little left after paying for basic needs.
2. Unfavorable working conditions: Medical Doctors are subjected to work with what is available rather than what is required. This is majorly caused by poor political will to equip healthcare facilities and resultant mediocrity in service delivery. Also, clinical practice in Nigeria is toxic to the average Nigerian Doctor. The senior Doctors make life and practice difficult for the younger generation. With such toxic environment and low take home, medical doctors are left with little choice than to seek greener pastures in countries other than Nigeria. This exodus of Nigerian doctors is common among young doctors (those with less than 10 years of practice after medical school) however not limited to that category as seen by consultants also opting out for greener pastures.
3. Insecurity: the country's continued insecurity has caused many Nigerians to emigrate for safer environments. This is not limited to medical doctors alone. It is frightening that in Nigeria, you are worried for robbery or assault when you are perceived to be wealthy. Even those not wealthy in quote are victims of attacks.
4. Better welfarism: Many doctors leave the country in order to secure a better environment that will cater for the welfarism of their children/wards most especially. It would have been a little comforting if basic amenities are provided in Nigeria, Job securities and evidence of tax utility however, the opposite is the case and hence, a sought for a better environment to ameliorate those factors.
5. Industrial strike action of Medical schools: Graduating from Medical school is an uneasy hassle and hence, there is limit to successful graduands of the profession. Industrial action - strike puts a hold to the academic calendar and subsequently, delays the induction of graduates of medicine into the profession .
   Let me put a STOP here as regards possible causes.

It is interesting to note that Nigeria is not left out in this Brain Drain. There is scarcity of Medical Professionals in many European countries and many countries post COVID-19 epidemic are willing to employ foreign doctors. It is not as though life is so much prettier there but, in comparison with where these doctors are imported from, the doctors would rather leave their home countries for these greener pastures. We are getting to a point in Nigeria that citizens cling to every available doctor that can be accessed reqardless of quality care and some eventually end up in the hands of quacks.
The Nigerian Government will do well to visit the causes of these Brain drain and put corrective measures such as improvement of remunerations, provision of better working conditions such as making available necessary equipment for doctors to work with. I hope we can get it right as the health of any nation influences the wealth of such nation.
Remind you, I am a Medical Doctor here in Nigeria and yes, I have seen many reasons to also leave the country but, I am holding on to hope for a better condition for Health workers in Nigeria!!!