By Vivian Ihechu
Nigeria is experiencing a significant brain drain in diverse sectors, especially in the healthcare sector. This is a challenge triggered by various economic, societal and global factors.
The brain drain of health workers is ”the movement of health personnel in search of a better standard of living and quality life, higher salaries, access to advanced technology and more stable political conditions in different places worldwide’’.
Some people say underinvestment in healthcare and poor remuneration of healthcare workers play significant roles in the exodus of many healthcare professionals to developed countries.
According to the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), the shortage of healthcare professionals in Nigeria was common in the mid-1980s when the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) reduced the purchasing power of many Nigerians.
The development led to a brain drain, as highly skilled older colleagues relocated abroad. Not much has been done to arrest the trend. It is rather worsening. It has continued to the extent that even younger health workers are now involved.
Some also say the trend has become more frightening with the economic downturn, dwindling government revenues, healthcare budgets, increased unemployment and poverty. All these are putting pressure on the demand for healthcare services.
The health sector in Nigeria suffers from many challenges including insufficient and inconsistent funding, heavy reliance on out-of-pocket payments, and poor condition of healthcare facilities, particularly in rural areas.
The Medical Guild, an association of doctors under the employment of the Lagos State Government, highlights the gravity of the brain drain. The association says it remains an inadequately recognised crisis.
The GuiId says, on average, two to three doctors resign from the state’s primary and secondary facilities every month without commensurate replacement.
According to the association, this leads to overwork, chronic fatigue, burnout and strained family relationships for the remaining doctors. Many of them are grappling with chronic medical conditions from stress and overwork. It also notes that economic starvation and stagflation are biting harder on doctors too.
Similarly, the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN) laments that no fewer than 100 psychiatric doctors left Nigeria to work abroad between January 2023 and July 2024. APN estimated that for every five psychiatric doctors trained in Nigeria, three of them leave the country to work abroad.
Presently in Nigeria, it is estimated that the health sector has one doctor to about 10,000 patients as opposed to the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation of one doctor to 600 people.
More worrisome is the question of who replaces the existing medical practitioners and the ageing healthcare workforce.
The Pathfinder’s Country Director in Nigeria, Dr Amina Dorayi says the healthcare system in Nigeria desperately needed repairs. She added that there were strategies the government could implement to discourage brain drain.
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Dorayi also suggests ways to motivate healthcare professionals to work in Nigeria’s public health sector. She attributes the medical brain drain in Nigeria to be majorly a result of the failure of health system leadership.
“The medical brain drain in Nigeria could be attributed to the failure of health system leadership that stems from poor insight and neglect of the problem. Nigeria’s healthcare professionals have been migrating in drones to the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and other developed nations,’’ she said.
To stem the tide, Dorayi says there is a need for the government at all levels to prioritise the menace of brain drain on the political agenda. “Governments must collaborate with healthcare institution administrators and stakeholders within the health sector.
“This will promote improved welfare, working conditions, job security, and satisfaction among healthcare workers, as no other category of workers is so essential to the well-being of the people. The government must discourage brain drain and motivate healthcare professionals to work in the public health sector.
“First, we need to improve the working conditions of health professionals, which means enhancing infrastructure, equipment, and resources in public healthcare facilities to create a conducive work environment. Competitive remuneration is also crucial, offering salaries and benefits that are comparable to international standards.’’
Dorayi says the government should also provide career development opportunities, including training and mentorship to help healthcare professionals grow professionally.
According to her, the recent student loan initiative by President Bola Tinubu is a laudable step. It should be implemented to give people from disadvantaged backgrounds an opportunity to study medical courses.
She says ensuring healthcare professionals’ safety and security, particularly in high-risk areas, is vital. In addition, Dorayi says the government should recognise and reward their contributions and achievements to boost morale and motivation.
“I also think that engaging with Nigerian healthcare professionals’ community abroad can encourage knowledge transfer, collaboration, and potential return to contribute to the country’s health sector,’’ she said.
Nigeria, the director noted, seriously address the brain-drain issue. There is no doubt that the health sector in Nigeria faces an exodus of skilled professionals. The trending factors include the incentives and available structures that offer better opportunities for healthcare workers in developed countries.
Also, security challenges, harsh economy and inflation have further encouraged the emigration of healthcare professionals. These and more require the political will to take care of capacity and funding in the health sector.
The government should also address social issues that encourage Nigeria’s health professionals to seek solace and a better life abroad.
Ihechu, a Senior Editor writes from Lagos
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