Prof. Emem Bassey, the Chairman of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals, revealed on Wednesday that Nigerian medical doctors and healthcare professionals are being lured away by other African nations.
Countries like Sierra Leone and Gambia are enticing these professionals with offers ranging from $3000 to $4000, which is significantly higher than their earnings in Nigeria.
During his testimony before the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee investigating employment irregularities in Federal Government agencies, Prof. Bassey, who is also the CMD of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, emphasized the critical shortage of healthcare manpower in the nation.
He noted a mass exodus of specialists, including doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, physiotherapists, radiographers, and others, leaving the country for better opportunities abroad.
The departure of these professionals is posing a substantial challenge in terms of replacements.
Despite receiving approval to recruit, the convoluted process of obtaining waivers hampers the effective replenishment of these health workers.
Prof. Bassey also highlighted the issue of strikes within the healthcare sector.
He pointed out that past governments had made unfeasible agreements to end strikes quickly, leading to agreements that could not be implemented.
This cycle of unmet promises eventually results in strikes that further deteriorate the healthcare system.
Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee, urged medical professionals to exhibit patriotism and contribute to their home country’s development.
Gagdi acknowledged the lack of advanced medical facilities in Nigeria but stressed the importance of giving back to the nation that nurtured their education.
He encouraged doctors to serve their homeland despite the allure of opportunities abroad.
Gagdi assured the medical community that the committee would review their concerns meticulously and provide recommendations to address the imbalance between adhering to federal character principles and filling urgent healthcare vacancies.
He emphasized that the government is committed to implementing beneficial changes based on the committee’s findings.
In essence, Prof. Bassey’s testimony shed light on the distressing trend of healthcare professionals leaving Nigeria due to attractive offers from other African countries.
This departure compounds the existing shortage of medical specialists and poses challenges in recruitment and workforce management.
The committee’s investigation aims to strike a balance between fulfilling federal character requirements and addressing the pressing need for healthcare professionals in Nigeria.
