Ogunjemiyo said: “So within the last one year, we have lost about 200 pharmacists to brain drain. Most of them have gone to Canada and other developed countries.”
By Jeffrey Agbo
No less than 200 pharmacists have left Nigeria for greener pastures in the last one year, this is according to Olabode Ogunjemiyo, National Chairman, Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN).
Ogunjemiyo spoke on Monday at a news conference during its 23rd Annual National Scientific Conference themed ”COVID-19 Experience: Expanding the Role of Health System Pharmacists” in Lafia.
He said that those who have left the country did so because of poor practice environment, insecurity, poor condition of services.
“I remember a colleague of mine who was traveling from Owo, in Ondo State where we practice, to Benin in Edo State tate.
“He was kidnapped along the way. As soon as he was released, he immediately left the country with his family. So those are the major reasons.
“So within the last one year, we have lost about 200 pharmacists to brain drain. Most of them have gone to Canada and other developed countries,” he said.
Ogunjemiyo noted that the situation as at now was that the pharmacists were more at the top level and few at lower level because once they come in and see better opportunity abroad, they take off.
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Ogunjemiyo said during the conference, the association would pay courtesy call on dignitaries in the state, conduct health walk against drug abuse, health outreach for indigenes at the Emir of Lafia’s palace, town hall meeting and plenary sessions.
“This is part of our Corporate Social Responsibility carried out regularly and during conferences of this magnitude.
“It is meant to complement efforts of Nasarawa Government in improving the health of its citizenry.
“About 1,000 indigenes are expected to benefit from the medical outreach and they will enjoy pharmaceutical care, free of charge,” he said.
