Nigerian diaspora doctors proffer solutions to medical brain drain
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Members of Diaspora Medical Associations (MDAs), comprising Nigerian doctors and dentists working abroad, have petitioned the National Assembly (NASS) over the bill seeking to compel medical and dental graduates to render five-year compulsory service in Nigeria before being granted full licence to practise.
The letter, dated 11 April 2023, was addressed to House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, and copied to Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Senate Health Committee Chairman Ibrahim Oloriegbe, and House Health Committee Chairman Tanko Sununu.
The letter was signed by the President of the Nigerian Doctors’ Forum, South Africa, Dr Emeka Ugwu; President of the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas, Dr Chinyere Anyaogu; President of the Medical Association of Nigerians Across Great Britain, Dr Chris Agbo; President of the Canadian Association of Nigerian Physicians and Dentists, Dr Nnamdi Ndubuka; and President of the Nigerian Medical Association-Germany, Dr Al Amin Dahiru.
The DMAs said the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act (Amendment) Bill sponsored by Ganiyi Johnson, which passed second reading at the House of Representatives about two weeks ago, is counterproductive and would not achieve its intended goal of addressing brain drain in Nigeria.
“We recognise the problems posed by the exodus of Nigerian medical professionals from our health system, including, but not limited to decreased access to health care services, lack of quality of care, care delivery deserts the inability to adequately enact health care and public health policy due to lack of manpower and leadership resource,” the letter said.
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Holistic solutions to brain drain
“The major cause of brain drain includes a poor care delivery framework from a failure to invest in the health care to foster a conducive environment. The system does not promote professionalism, growth, work satisfaction, or a high-reliability culture,” the MDAs added, per reporting by The PUNCH.
“Other major drivers include very poor welfare packages, high levels of insecurity, limited opportunities for employment, subspecialty training, sociopolitical and economic instability. The majority of these issues stem from outside the health care system and are outside of an individual’s control.
“Indeed, good governance and commitment to future investment in health care would improve conditions in the country that will allow security, good education for children, improved compensation, as described in the Abuja Declaration.”
The MDA also argued the focus on one aspect of a problem without taking a holistic approach to a sustainable solution would not be effective.
“Young professionals leave the country in search of better opportunities. Many are frustrated by the consequences of governance failures that have progressively worsened over the past 30 years.
“The unfortunate reality is the health care system is in a state of serious neglect, training and career development opportunities are limited, further impairing earning potential. Insecurity is rampant. Equity and justice are lacking for the average Nigerian.
“The Diaspora Medical Associations are invested in crafting effective solutions and are willing to participate in fostering solutions to that extent.”
The doctors urged Gbajabiamila to embrace the purposeful systemic solution and ensure that a ‘quick fix’ attempt does not worsen the situation.
They pledged to support positive changes and growth of the health sector to stop and reverse medical brain drain.